Near-drowning reported along Sugar Creek

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- A 29-year-old man nearly drowned Tuesday evening in Sugar Creek near the dam at U.S. 231 North in Crawfordsville, authorities reported.

The Crawfordsville Fire Department received a called at 6:50 p.m. of a male who had been swept under the water and had resurfaced but was complaining of pain and was vomiting near the shore of Sugar Creek.

The department arrived on the scene within two minutes and found the subject, along with another male in his 20s and three children -- ages 3, 7 and 8 --near the shore. They had been wading and swimming in the area of the dam.

Lt. Nate Patton said the group had been swimming just west of the dam when the adult male was taken under but strong undercurrent and then spit back out of the water.

"People just don't realize how strong water can be, even if it's just a few feet deep," Patton said. "And especially near the dam. There are some very strong undercurrents there."

Responders had raised the victim up to the bridge in a stokes basket using ropes where he was then transported to Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health-Crawfordsville.

It marked the second rescue near the Sugar Creek dam in 10 days.