DOWN THE RIVER WITHOUT A PADDLE - Accidents, Fires and B & E's

(08/01/2001)

An 11-year-old Grantsville boy was down the river without a paddle yesterday afternoon, according to Grantsville fireman Jim Garretson. The youth obtained the small boat not far from his residence, reportedly accompanied by an older brother who abandoned the adventure. The water was "up" in the Little Kanawha. Garretson said the youth drifted about one mile from River Street to an area near Sav-a-Tool. 911 was notified to rescue the boy, who managed to leave the boat and position himself along the north river bank. Local emergency officials responded to rescue the youth. Garretson said two four-wheelers attempted to reach the youth through north Grantsville, but firemen sent a boat across the river to bring him to safety. Garretson said "It was amazing how it worked out. He was very fortunate. He would have been in trouble if he had fallen in the water." Ritchie County officials declined to confirm reports of a car accident involving entrapment on Route 16, four miles north of Smithville yesterday about 4:30 p.m. The Ritchie County Sheriff's Department would not validate a report regarding a fatality associated with the accident. The Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department reportedly responded to a tractor fire yesterday afternoon above Creston near the Gary Buchanan residence. Local police are investigating the breaking and entering of three soft drink machines last week at Baker's Mart, the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department and Hardman Supply.

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