WINFIELD, Mo. — Firefighters were called to rescue three barge workers stranded on the Mississippi River Thursday night. The Winfield Foley Fire Protection District says that high winds blew the barges into shallow waters north of Lock and Dam 25.
The barges broke free from the tugboat, pushing them along the Mississippi River. They floated into shallow waters, making the workers hard to reach.
Firefighters were able to reach the workers on the barge from a walking trail between Lock 25 and the Foley boat access. They used a ladder to get to the top of the boat and make contact.
Mississippi River water levels are much lower than they were at this time last year. Much of the Midwest has been in a drought. Firefighters say that river crews are working to reconnect the barges with a tugboat.