Bystanders rescue Joplin man from drowning while kayaking on James River

STONE COUNTY, Mo. (KOAM) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol report a Joplin, Mo. man nearly drown while kayaking on the James River Saturday afternoon.

Thomas Forehand, 72, was rescued by people who witnessed the incident and those nearby on Baker Hole Road, one mile north of Galena, Mo.

“Occurred as [kayak] was pinned against a tree in the river causing [Thomas Forehand] to fall overboard. [He] then became pinned under a log.”

— Tpr C. O’Hara of Troop D

Sheriff Doug Rader of Stone County states, “ We have had great positive feedback from the River Patrol on the James River. Saturday our River Patrol was dispatched to a possible drowning .”

Sheriff Rader shares two accounts from those involved calling them heroes:

“We were doing our Missouri thing and floating on the James river in Galena. The day was normal and peaceful as always when we spend the day relaxing in a canoe or kayak. As we were just hanging out, a few local friends spotted us and asked us to pull over because they wanted to chat for a minute. So we did. These guys had a big Trump flag flying and it was a rather large group of Stone County local boys and girls. We chatted for a bit when we noticed a kayak floating upside down and a lady trying to catch it on her kayak. One of the boys swam out to retrieve the loose kayak and at that same time there was some commotion up river with a young girl yelling about someone stuck in a downed tree on the opposite bank. These local boys never hesitated and many of them made a beeline and swam across the river to the tree, but from where we were standing we couldn't see anyone at all. They crawled around in the downed tree for 2-minutes before finally pulling an older gentleman out and carrying him back across the river to the side we were all watching from. The man was not breathing and in shock but after a few moments he was revived and began breathing again. Every one of the local residents stayed by his side, talking to him, covering him towels, and comforting him. His group was quite a ways down river and they sent someone down the river to inform his group of the situation. After about 15 minutes and first responder emerged from the woods on the opposite side of the river. My son jumped in a kayak and went across the river and picked him up so he could arrive at the scene with his medical bag. After another 10-15 minutes Stone County Sheriff Dept showed up in their jet boat. It was an impressive response from authorities given where we were on the river. The ambulance was also on scene about a quarter mile down river rather quickly but it was impossible to get to the gentleman without a boat. It was quite the dire situation and your local "redneck" boys and and girls who were flying a Trump 24 flag saved the day and that man's life. I do not know the urgent condition of the gentleman that was trapped in the tree and held under water for at least 3 minutes but I do know that he had the hand of God on his side having all of those experienced river floaters just randomly hanging out at the gravel bar where he went under. They selflessly put their lives in danger to rescue a complete stranger without hesitation. They are true heroes to me and the group I was with that witnessed the potentially tragic situation.” — Chris Begley

Also this account from Marlene Garrigus:

“OMGoodness! This was us and the Trump flag flying! Dakota Bilyeu, and Justin DeAtley was two of my crew that pulled him from the tree, I was yelling, call 911, Bobby Taylor and Jimmy DeAtley went after the kayak and swam after his belongings, and a wonderful nurse that just happened to be floating down and helped with him to breath and cough up all that water ! I just keep my forehead to his and prayed. Lord have mercy. Terrified wasn't understatement! All the people that jumped into help was absolutely amazing ! Doug Rader's boys were they fast in the jet boat and our boys loaded him and got him to the awaiting ambulance Update! | stayed in touch with the family " Tommy, the 72 year old was released from the hospital at Midnight, and he got to attend his Family Reunion today! His words were nothing but kind today. He wanted to thank everyone. He said he started praying after he went under that this was it, he was going to Heaven. He then said, " I took my last breath before I went under, and my second i was on land, Thank you Jesus"