Father rescued from river after 10-year-old daughter paddles for help

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) - A father was rescued after being injured while kayaking after his 10-year-old daughter paddled for help.

Deputies said the child called 911 after her father was seriously injured while kayaking in the Bogue Chitto River in Louisiana.

The man hit his head and was bleeding badly when his daughter pulled him into a sandbar before paddling downstream to find help.

She eventually reached the Warnerton Bridge 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, so they called in additional help from the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities found the injured man about a quarter mile from the bridge. He was rescued and treated for his injuries.

Officials praised the girl’s composure and warned others to be cautious on waterways following periods of heavy rain, which can conceal submerged hazards and increase current speed.

“Some rural areas have limited cell service,” authorities said. “We encourage all residents to carry emergency radios when near water.”