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Washington Parish Deputy Sheriffs assist Fire District 9 and the Franklinton Fire Department in river rescue after 10-year-old daughter calls for help

(Warnerton) June 18, 2025—Yesterday afternoon, Washington Parish Deputy Sheriffs received a request for assistance from the Franklinton Fire Department (FFD) after a man was reportedly injured while kayaking in the Bogue Chitto River about 8 miles north of Franklinton. The initial call came from the injured man’s daughter, aged 10, who stated that her father had hit his head and was bleeding badly. She had moved him to a nearby sandbar before kayaking downstream and finding high ground at the Warnerton Bridge on LA-438 to call 911.

Fire District 9 personnel arrived at the scene first and attempted to wade upstream with the daughter to find her father. They requested EMS and assistance from FFD, and shortly afterward had to abort their mission due to the strong currents and deep water. FFD then called on WPSO for a boat, and one of our Captains quickly responded and launched into the river with the assistance of a WPSO Lieutenant. The injured man was found about ¼ mile upriver from the bridge and rescued from the sandbar before being handed over to EMS personnel for treatment.

During times of excess rain, the rivers and creeks of Washington Parish can become extremely dangerous as water levels rise and currents increase, often submerging logs that are visible when the water is low. We ask that everyone exercise caution on the waterways and if possible, carry emergency radios. Some of the more rural parts of our Parish have limited cell service, and having a radio that can reach nearby emergency response personnel makes it easier to contact us, and easier to find you when help is needed.