Firefighters arrived on scene and found three young men in the river with their head just above the water. Two were located together and the third person was about 200 yards up the river. Four Firefighters entered the river wearing life jackets and other rescue equipment to rescue the victims. Once the firefighters reached the victims, life jackets were placed on each victim. The firefighters then assisted the victims from the river by swimming to the shore. Danville Life Saving Crew transported the victims to Danville Regional Medical Center.
The victims stated that they were playing in the river when one was slipped and was swept down the river. The second victim tried to help his brother and was swept away in the current. A fisherman Anthony Dixon observed the two brothers in distress and jumped into the river to help the struggling brothers. Dixon was able to aid one of the brothers by pulling him to a rock and was able to keep his head above the water until the arrival of firefighters.
The Danville Police Department and Danville Life Saving Crew were on the scene to assist the fire department in the rescue.
Battalion Chief B.K. Shields