A group of 13 people were rescued from a tree in the middle of an area river Sunday afternoon, according to Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton. No one was injured.
About 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Hempstead County Deputy Jim Bush was dispatched to the area of the Little Missouri River on Highway 195 North.
Bush contacted Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Cpl. Jeff Neal and dispatched the Blevins, McCaskill, and Deanne volunteer fire departments.
"Upon their arrival, they were able to get a boat in the water and get all but five to the shore where we helped them up the hill," Singleton said. Bush then drove to the other side of the river where members of the fire departments were able to get to the last five on a side-by-side vehicle.
Pafford EMS also responded to the scene.
"Everyone was recovered from the river without any apparent injuries," Singleton said, noting the firefighters and volunteers made the difference in getting all of the people out of the river and to safety.