A Missouri man who attempted to rescue a boater stranded at a dam died on Sunday after being trapped by the dam’s hydraulics, authorities reported.
The 54-year-old man was pronounced dead at a hospital on Sunday evening, as stated in an incident report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Emergency responders were dispatched for a water rescue involving two individuals in the Elk River, near Noel, Missouri, at approximately 5:35 p.m. on Sunday. One person had gone over a low-head dam in the river.
According to the report, the man jumped into the water above the dam to assist the boater, who was struggling in the powerful currents at the base of the dam, commonly referred to as hydraulics. The man was subsequently swept away by the current and pulled through the hydraulics.
He resurfaced downstream, where a bystander managed to pull him to safety, and emergency responders provided first aid.
The man was then transported to Ozarks Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The boater involved in the incident was reported to be uninjured, as stated by the highway patrol.
Low-head dams are artificial structures that allow water to flow continuously over them and can create dangerous, recirculating currents below, often referred to as “drowning machines.” These conditions can trap individuals and objects, making escape difficult.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, approximately 50 fatalities occur each year at low-head dams across the United States.