Son’s Instincts Lead to Father’s Rescue from Sulphur Fork Creek

Son’s Instincts Lead to Father’s Rescue from Sulphur Fork Creek

SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – A Monday afternoon a kayak run on Sulphur Fork Creek gave a Springfield family a bit of a scare when the kayaker failed to return as expected. With no cell phone or GPS equipment, his family had no way of knowing where he was.

Not knowing which creek or where his father launched, the man’s son began searching. Despite having limited information, the son somehow managed to locate his father near the North Main Street Greenway entrance. MAP According to Robertson County EMS, the gentleman had become entangled in some trees causing his kayak to take on water leaving him clinging to the side of the creek bank with his kayak just a short distance away.

After finding his father, he immediately called for help, the first call coming into 911 at 7:04 PM. Robertson County EMS, the Springfield Fire Department, and Springfield Police responded quickly, arriving within about four minutes.

Springfield Fire and EMS used a rescue stretcher system to carefully pull the man up the steep bank and onto stable ground. Fortunately, he was wearing a dry suit, which helped preserve body heat, but he still suffered from hypothermic exposure. EMS crews treated him at the scene before transporting him to TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield in stable condition.

While details remain limited, the man is believed to be an athlete but dealing with a situation that prevented him from climbing out of the creek on his own.

In the end, it was his son’s incredible instincts that made all the difference.