Bates County, MO — A quick-thinking response and teamwork among multiple agencies led to a successful water rescue Monday afternoon in western Bates County.
At approximately 12:05 p.m. Monday, January 26, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a man who had fallen into a pond on County Road 9001. Deputies, Butler Fire, and EMS were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, deputies observed the male subject submerged in the pond up to his mid-chest. His truck was parked beside the pond, where he had been attempting to rescue a calf from the water when he fell through the ice.
A Butler firefighter arrived in his personal vehicle and, working alongside deputies, utilized a chain and a bale bed to secure the man and prevent him from sinking further. The team then lifted him high enough to pull him safely out of the water.
The man was placed in a patrol vehicle and transported to his residence, where EMS met him for evaluation. He was reported to be safe following the rescue.
But the response didn’t end there.
Deputies and Butler firefighters then turned their attention to rescuing the remaining calf from the pond. After successfully retrieving the animal, responders worked together to pull the man’s truck out of the mud and return it to his residence.
The calf was loaded into Sheriff Anderson’s patrol truck and transported to a neighbor’s home, where a warming area had been prepared to help the animal recover from the cold.
“This is an exceptional rescue that saved a life,” said Sheriff Anderson. “Multiple agencies came together not only to rescue the subject, but to go above and beyond for a neighbor in need. I wish the public could see the teamwork the way I get to see it. Every day my staff and other emergency personnel continue to selflessly serve our community above and beyond what is expected.”
No injuries were reported.
