Emergency personnel from multiple agencies rescued two turkey hunters Thursday evening as the Big Piney River swelled out of control west of Boiling Springs.
The scene was just west of the Boilings Spring Bridge. A boat was sought from a nearby resort, but water levels were deemed too high for the safety of rescuers.
At about 3 p.m., Troop G of the Missouri State Highway Patrol received a telephone call that two turkey hunters were trapped by flood waters in a field. One was in a wheelchair.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol chopper was dispatched to the scene, along with the Texas County Rescue Squad and Roby and Licking firemen. A air rescue was completed at 5:23 p.m.
The men are identified as Keith Duckworth, 54; and Wayne Arling, 53, both of St. Louis.
Duckworth was taken to a St. Louis-area hospital for what was believed to be hypothermia, according to the patrol.
Col. Ron Replogle of the patrol said this type of rescue requires a helicopter with lift capabilities and a pilot with precision skills. The patrol’s rescue program is FAA certified and allows the patrol to provide a capability that few law enforcements agencies in the Midwest possess, he said.