Early Friday morning, the Memphis Fire Department successfully rescued a man from the Mississippi River. The alarm was raised around 7 a.m., prompting a swift response from firefighters who were tasked with rescuing two individuals reported to be in distress. While one person was brought to safety and transported in non-critical condition to Regional One Hospital, the search continued for the other missing individual.
Action News 5 reports disclose few details regarding the circumstances that led to the pair's predicament in the river. The Memphis Police, however, have been fully engaged in the recovery mission since the initial calls for help. According to a witness cited by WREG, the victim was screaming and flailing in the water for approximately 25 minutes before the rescue team's arrival.
Officials have released that boat issues may have precipitated the event. Memphis Police Assistant Chief Don Crowe shared with WREG, that he does not know how the boat capsized, but says the victims had “boat problems.”
As rescuers continue their efforts, the focus is now on locating the second person. Assistant Chief Crowe mentioned that this is anticipated to be an all-day search and rescue effort, entailing close collaboration between the police department and the MFD. The victim was initially found in water 16 feet deep, setting a precedent for the challenges inherent in the ongoing search. FOX13, with crews on the scene, continues to monitor the situation and will update the public as more information becomes available.
