Washington Parish deputies say a father is recovering after a 10-year-old girlโs bravery helped save his life during a river emergency Wednesday afternoon. According to the Washington Parish Sheriffโs Office (WPSO), the child called 911 after her father was seriously injured while kayaking in the Bogue Chitto River, roughly eight miles north of Franklinton. Deputies say the man struck his head and was bleeding badly when the girl pulled him onto a sandbar before paddling downstream alone to find help.
She eventually reached high ground at the Warnerton Bridge on LA-438 and called for emergency assistance. Firefighters attempted to wade upriver with the girl to reach her father, but were forced to stop due to strong currents and deep water. Additional support and a boat were requested from WPSO. A WPSO captain and lieutenant launched upriver and located the injured man approximately a quarter mile from the bridge. He was rescued and handed over to EMS for medical treatment. Officials praised the girlโs composure and warned others to be cautious on waterways following periods of heavy rain, which can conceal submerged hazards and increase current speed. โSome rural areas have limited cell service,โ WPSO noted. โWe encourage all residents to carry emergency radios when near water.โ
