FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — Franklin firefighters rescued a mom who jumped into the Harpeth River when her child fell in while sledding Tuesday.
Fire officials said the incident happened near Culpepper Circle in the Forrest Crossing subdivision.
A child who was sledding near where Battalion Chief Jonathan Jenkins is standing went over the embankment into the river this afternoon. The child’s mother jumped in and rescued the child but was injured in the process. She made it out of the water but had to be rescued by FFs. pic.twitter.com/EMIy2TtQtn
— Franklin Fire Department, Franklin, TN (@FranklinFire) February 16, 2021
Kaye Hash who was there says a group of kids was sledding in the area but a young boy, who went down the hill on his own, fell into the water.
"A little boy I think he was 3 -years-old, he went down on his own and started off in the middle and veered way to the right," said Hash, "He went in the water right where the bridge is, he just flew right in there. His mom was down there, I guess trying to stop him and she jumped in immediately after him, and she landed in a real shallow part of the water and her leg broke immediately."
Witnesses told us a chain of people helped get the boy and bystander back on shore, but the woman's injury kept her from getting back up the steep hill.
"Another gentleman jumped in, immediately grabbed the little boy, a huge chain of people were down there by that point. We got the boy out, he's fine, he's absolutely fine, he's just really scared," said Hash.
Franklin Fire Department crews responded to the river and used ropes and a rescue basket to pull the woman out. She was transported to the hospital by Williamson Medical Center EMS.
"We just encourage all citizens to be very cautious, have a good time but be very aware of the hazards associated with cold weather; hypothermia, water emergencies around and water situations with ponds and rivers and so forth," said Battalion Chief Jonathan Jenkins.
The child was evaluated by paramedics at the scene and released to another parent.
Two firefighters were also medically evaluated for cold exposure after entering the river to assist with the patient, but not transported. The rescue took about an hour.
