The High Ridge Fire Protection District rescued a 35-year-old High Ridge woman from the Big River at Byrnes Mill City Park on July 11.
The woman was evaluated by North Jefferson County Ambulance District paramedics and refused further medical treatment, said High Ridge Fire Chief John Barton.
High Ridge Fire crews were called to the park at 6:16 p.m.
“The initial report was that an adult female victim was on the opposite side of the river from the boat ramp and was in distress,” Barton said. “When our crews arrived, the victim was located on the shoreline on a brush pile about 150 yards downriver. Our crews crossed the river, made contact with the victim, and then assisted with walking her out to a property on Hwy. W, where emergency personnel picked her up and transported her back to the park.”
Barton said the woman had been to the park many times and was a capable swimmer. Byrnes Mill Police issued the woman a citation for swimming in the park’s river access, which is prohibited.
“She crossed the river to sunbathe, but when she went to leave, she could not find a safe method to cross back over the river to get to her vehicle,” Barton said.
High Ridge Fire was assisted by the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District.