At approximately 7:20am on Sunday April 16, 2023, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office contacted first responders in reference to a capsized boat on the Neches River approximately 2 miles upriver from the SH294 bridge, on the Anderson/Cherokee County line. 

One of the two occupants, Operator 1, a 59 year old white male, was able to exit the Neches River and walk to SH294 to flag down a passerby to call 911. He stated that the 10 foot aluminum paddle boat he and his sister, 57 year old white female, were fishing from, had capsized just after dark the night before. 

The pair laid on a partially submerged log through the night with cool temperatures in the lower 50's, and at sunrise Operator 1 walked out for help. Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Warden, and a Slocum VFD swift water technician, were soon able to locate Injured by boat. 

Injured was laying on a large log in the river and the capsized boat, and some of it's contents, were lodged in a log jam some 20 yards down river from location. First responders were able to get a PFD on Injured before rolling her into their rescue boat. Injured was then transported in the rescue boat back to the launch point where EMS was waiting. Injured was then transported to Palestine Regional Hospital, Palestine, TX, and released later that day. The capsized boat was likely manufactured prior to HIN numbers being required and no brand could be determined.

1402 NECHES RIVER
Alto                          