Coast Guardsmen Rescue Man From Kerr Lake Near Sallisaw

Two Coast Guardsmen rescued a 36-year-old man from Kerr Lake near Sallisaw, Thursday.

While conducting an area familiarization trip around the Arkansas River, Lieutenant Clint Smith and Petty Officer 2nd Class, Jose Blanco heard a man yell for help in the water near the Applegate Cove Marina, a news release says.

It says Smith put on a life jacket and entered the water to help the man, also wearing a life jacket. It says once Smith reached the man he helped him to shore while Blanco called 911.

They say the man was fishing with another person in his 13-foot boat when it became disabled. According to the release, the man became exhausted after he jumped into the water to pull it to shore.

“Blanco really did all the work here, he called 911 while I pulled the man to shore and he used the truck horn to alert a nearby boater who was able to pull the fisherman’s boat to shore,” Smith said.

He said the man was exhausted and had swallowed a lot of water and was having trouble breathing. Smith said the life jacked may have saved his life.

They said a man reportedly suffered from exhaustion but no other injuries.