Murfreesboro TN - On Wednesday afternoon (7/31/2024) a woman was stranded for more than an hour after her kayak overturned in the flood ravaged Stones River near Cason Lane Trailhead. She was rescued by the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department's Swiftwater Rescue Team Wednesday afternoon.
Battalion Chief Mike Keith said, “If you are inexperienced and the water is flowing rapidly, stay off the river. Always wear a life jacket and never kayak alone.”
Torrential rain that accompanied Monday’s F-0 tornado caused the river to rise.
Fast-moving water caused the kayak to overturn near World Outreach Church. The woman managed to grab hold of a tree, while holding the upside-down kayak with the other hand until firefighters found her.
The woman’s boyfriend notified authorities, since her cellphone was submerged underneath the kayak.
Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department's Swiftwater Rescue team from Fire Station 4 rescued the woman around 3:30PM Wednesday afternoon. She was not wearing a life jacket, and luckily was not injured.
Fire crews with Ladder 1, Ladder 2, Ladder 4, Rescue 1, Engine 7, Safety 1 & 2, and Battalion Chief 1 & 2 assisted in the search of location of the stranded woman.
