Bystander rescues mother, child after their inner tube flips on NC river

JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. — A mother and child were rescued from a river in North Carolina after their inner tube flipped, WLOS reported.

In Jackson County, the mother and her younger daughter approached Prudential Rock, a high Class Two rapid on the Tuckaseegee River.

They were in the inner tube when they hit the rapids and were thrown from the tube. The mother immediately started yelling for help.

Barry Kennon works at a nearby photo stand and is also a world champion canoeist. He sprung into action to save them.

“I was able to hold onto the rope of the stern of my canoe, shove the canoe out into the water and she grabbed the front of the canoe and I pulled them back in,” Kennon said. “They were fine. They were shivering and I gave them a blanket.”

The two made it back safely to the riverbank. Luckily, the child had a life jacket on, but the mother did not.

Officials said the incident is a reminder to always wear a life jacket and know the water levels.

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