RICHMOND, Ind. (WFFT) — Two Indiana Conservation Officers rescued an 11-year-old girl from drowning Thursday, after she fell into the Whitewater River in Richmond, below the Weir Dam.
The Department of Natural Resources says this rescue was a result of the officers "being in the right place, at the right time while patrolling the river."
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At around 5:30 p.m., two Indiana Conservation Officers say they heard someone yelling for help.
Officers said the saw a young girl in the river, struggling to remain above water.
The DNR says both officers entered the water, swam to the girl, and brought her back to shore.
The girl was checked out by EMTs with the Richmond Fire Department and was uninjured, the DNR said.
Officers said the girl, who did not know how to swim, fell into the river while walking the bank below the low-head dam with family members.
They said the river in this area was 8 to 9 feet deep, with a strong current at the time of the incident.
Indiana Conservation Officers remind the public to use caution while recreating near the water and recognize the dangers of low-head dams.
They say it is also a good practice to have children and non-swimmers wear personal flotation devices while on or near the water.
