Quick Thinking Solves the Problem

Resourceful thinking helped rescue a stranded angler this week in Webster County.

State Police were called to Williams River where the angler, Matthew Parsons of St. Louis, Missouri, had waded across the river to fish while the water was low.  However, in a short span of time, the river rose several feet, leaving Parsons unable to wade back to join his party.

Parsons walked down the stream planning to find a suitable crossing point and became separated from his companions.

State Police found Parsons about two miles downstream from his original position.   Members of the Cowen Volunteer Fire Department instructed Parsons to cast his fishing line across the stream.  Firemen attached a rope to the hook and Parsons reeled the rope across the water and tied it off to a tree.  State Police Corporal Loughridge used a rappelling harness to cross the river and assist Parsons back to the safety of the opposite bank.