A Sunday afternoon of fun for a couple of local youth took a near tragic turn shortly before 4 p.m. when a 13-year-old Rushville boy fell into the swollen Flatrock River near the CSX railroad trestle east of Fort Wayne Road.
Fortunately, one of the youth had a cell phone and called 911 to report the accident.
Rush County Sheriff’s Department deputy Dave Sliger said when he and other responders arrived at the scene they found a teenager (later identified as Torin Ashley) standing on a concrete slab nearly 60 feet from shore.
A water rescue team from the Rushville Fire Department used a boat to reach the youth and bring him safely to dry land.
After being checked at the scene by medical personnel from RMH Ambulance for possible hypothermia and exposure the teen was transported to Rush memorial Hospital as a precautionary measure.
Ashley said he told investigators that while he and his unidentified friend were walking down the CSX train tracks he lost his footing and fell into the rain swollen river.
He continued by saying that he was able to swim to a nearby concrete slab and that following several attempts he was able to pull himself out of the swift running river.
Also assisting at the scene were members of the Rushville Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
