High Ridge Fire Protection District firefighters rescued a 25-year-old man from the Big River at Rockford Beach Park in House Springs on Saturday (July 11) after he was trapped in the rapids and stuck against a log.
John Barton, an engineer with the fire district, said the man was trapped in water from the rapids up to his chest and bystanders tried to rescue him, but also called 911.
Barton said crews were dispatched at 6:02 p.m., arrived on the scene five minutes later. Barton said the man was removed from the water at 6:27 p.m.
Barton said the man was trying to swim across the river when he got caught in the current and was carried into the rapids, where he was trapped.
Barton said the man did not live in Jefferson County, but he otherwise did not know his hometown.
A crew from the Big River Ambulance District determined at the scene that the man suffered no injuries.
Firefighters from the Cedar Hill and Eureka fire protection districts also responded.
The incident marked the fourth water rescue of the season that High Ridge Fire has responded to at Rockford Beach. Barton said he is worried more calls will be dispatched this summer because many public pools are closed due to COVID-19 health concerns.
“This is what we have been concerned about,” he said.
The district had one water rescue in 2018 and three in 2019, he said.
Barton said he believes there is a misconception that only weak swimmers might have trouble swimming at Rockford Beach and the Big River.
“That’s not true in every case. Even strong swimmers are getting into trouble down there because of the current,” he said. “That river is not a safe swimming area.”
The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department has posted warnings on its website about the dangers of swimming at Rockford Beach.
At least two people have drowned in recent years while swimming at the beach.