Kentucky Firefighters Save Driver Clinging to Icy River Tree

A driver got a second chance at life Tuesday night when Pikeville firefighters pulled him from the freezing Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River, where he clung desperately to a tree just 10 feet from shore.

Witnesses called 911 after seeing a vehicle leave a Food City Gas and Go parking lot, cross a field, and plunge into the icy water. When Pikeville Fire Department crews arrived, they split up on both sides of the river to search.

They found the driver wrapped around a tree near the US 23 side, his feet still dangling in the frigid water. He wasn't responding to their calls, and rescuers worried he might lose his grip at any moment.

Lt. Marcus Riddle and Firefighter EMT Evan Kimberlain didn't wait. They entered the cold water and brought the man safely to shore, where crews assessed his condition before rushing him to the hospital.

"Great job by those rescuers specifically," said PIO Hunter Ferran. "People got in. We acted quick."

The team wasn't done yet. Working with Pike County Emergency Management and local police, they used sonar to locate the vehicle, which had traveled further downstream. Once they lifted it from the water, they confirmed no one else was trapped inside.

Why This Inspires

This rescue showcases what happens when emergency responders train relentlessly for the worst. Fire Chief Johnny Cole's crew practices water rescues until they become second nature, so when seconds count, their bodies know exactly what to do.

"Don't practice it until you get it right," Ferran explained. "Practice until you can't get it wrong."

The Pikeville team creates an action plan before even arriving at emergencies, but it's their muscle memory that takes over in critical moments. That preparation turned what could have been a recovery mission into a rescue.

Interestingly, this stretch of river sees frequent vehicle accidents, though usually from the opposite side. The department's familiarity with the area and dedication to training made all the difference when the unexpected happened.

One man went home because two firefighters were willing to get cold and wet, and an entire department was ready for the call.