According to Henryetta police a seven-year-old was floating on an inflatable raft designed to look like a giant unicorn. Some wind started blowing the raft further from the shore and it quickly got to the middle of the lake.Jessica Bennett was on shore and saw the crisis unfold. Police say without hesitation she jumped into he water clothes and all and swam to the raft. Once reaching it, she guided the float toward the far shore.
Henryetta police officer Joey Cantrell was at the lake and went into the water to grab the float and pull both Bennett and the youngster to safety.
Fire and police personnel checked out the pair and, aside from being tired, Bennett was in good shape.
“There is no doubt that this could have had a tragic end,” said police Lt. Doug Kossakowski. “Had that boy slid off the raft, we would have had a drowning on our hands. As it is, the quick action by Jessica turned it around.”
He warned everyone that, while swimming is tolerated at the lake, there are no lifeguards on duty and everyone should take extra care.
“All young people should have life jackets or some type of flotation device while they are in the water,” he said.
