By Becky Long
Publisher
A Memorial Day weekend outing at Fires Creek turned serious when a young boy found himself stranded after crossing the high-rolling waters of the creek. Thanks to quick actions of local emergency workers, the boy was rescued and returned safely to family and friends.
On Friday at 5:56 p.m., 911 received a call from someone in the boy’s group who reported there was a 9 or 10 year old boy in the water near the Fires Creek picnic area, according to Clay County Battalion Chief Pete Trocchia.
Due to recent heavy rainfall, the river was flowing above normal at the time of the incident.
“Police and Clay County Rescue were called out to assist,” Trocchia said. “The child was a half mile up stream from the picnic area on the far side of the river, submerged waist deep against a rock and holding on to a limb over the water. He had been in the water over 30 minutes.”
Deputies arrived on the scene first and advised dispatch to call out the water rescue team and bring equipment. “Fire, EMS and deputies worked together to establish a plan to send a rescue swimmer across to secure the child,” Trocchia said.
A Clay County rescue swimmer who is also a local deputy, Kyle Lickteig, entered the water and made his way over to the child. The child was secured on the far bank of the river and additional resources were called out to assist, according to Trocchia. A line was sent across and a rescue boat was sent over to recover the child and Lickteig.
The young boy was handed off to local EMS on sight, checked out and returned to his group at the scene.
Deputy Lickteig received a letter of commendation in February after he rendered two doses of Naloxone and began performing CPR, bringing an unconscious man back to a responsive state and saving his life.
“Clay County wants to thank all agencies that were involved and a special thanks to Valley Town swift water team for responding so fast,” said Trocchia.