MASON CITY – Calls for help from a family of five were heard by a jogger Thursday night, and all were pulled from a choppy area of the Winnebago River unharmed.
Emergency responders were called at about 6:30 PM Thursday evening to 12th Street NE near LD’s bar and Restaurant. Three children and two adults were calling for help and were trapped in the river. Mason City police, ambulance and firefighters arrived on the scene.
A runner heard screams for help and was able to help rescue the family the five.
All five persons appeared to be OK after surviving what was described as a terrifying ordeal in the rapids. “The dad got off the one raft and pushed the boy free of the current and the mom and two girls were stuck in the current of the dam. He went up and tried to get them out,” NIT was told by a person at the scene.
“They were screaming for help and a runner showed up before we did, Thank God,” said an officer at the scene. “It could have been a really, really, really bad day.”
The family was checked out by ambulance personnel but did not appear to be taken to a hospital. More information as it becomes available.
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