Kayaker rescues child from St. Louis River

David Jones, Jr. was fishing when he heard the 6-year-old screaming, and then saw him floating in the river by himself, about 300 yards from shore. WCCO's John Lauritsen talked with Jones about the heroic rescue and how he managed to stay calm in a stressful situation.

[Olokunful]

"David, still has a lot of questions." So do we all.

[ybhomes]

I'm with David. Something is suspicious.

[justicewillprevail]

His father was no where in sight. What a strange incident. You’d think if you lost a kid, you’d be following the kid like a hawk or dive into the water to save him. But nope. Very weird.

[kpepperl]

The father claims the kid lost hold of the rope that was tied to his boat... It was 57f that day, who in their right mind would let a 6 year old swim in the river? This little boy was not appropriately dressed to swim in cold water, but at least he had his life jacket and his strong will to survive. The fact that the father wasn't charged for neglect is insane.

[chupapi]

Just imagine if David never decided to go fishing that day. What a hero!

[toddwinegar]

As a kayak angler that just freakin Made my day! Dude you are a hero.

[jasonscott]

What a brave little man and thank goodness David heard this young lad.

[carolynthornton]

IN MY VIEW
I can’t comprehend how that child ended up in the water alone like that. That is crazy.

[lajuanaraye]

What a hero! We need more people in our world like him!

[ItsMeHello]

What a piece of crap Father this young lad has. His life will be a tough one, if this is their idea of love and protection. Thank you, David. It didn’t look like favorite weather for fishing. I’m glad he listened to that inner voice.

[naptastik]

The dad clearly tried to murder this boy. Sailboat was nowhere in sight?!!! He was at HOME! Why weren’t the authorities called? He should have been taken to a HOSPITAL TO AT LEAST be evaluated for hypothermia!!! This is insanity.

[andersonomo]

Thank God that little boy was wearing a life jacket - but where the hell were the parents!! Mr jones is a LEGEND, a true hero. May the rest of his life be blessed!!

[thegreatcatsby]

300 yards from shore!!!! Oh my goodness!!!!
Thank goodness he was there to help that boy 🙏

[britzel]

I watched the full video and I'm in horror that the father isn't being looked into. That poor child. The father literally said that he was saved from a ton of hassle by the man gets him. Also, when the man said he was going to call 911 the lil boy lost it and became extremely upset...what child at his age reacts that way unless something is going on and they've been told not to talk to cops etc... This was a chance I fear to get this child help and was completely dropped 😔

[eyesup]

Thank God for this man! Why was nobody looking for this child????

[marilynalspachtoth]

What an absolute solid man. Poor kid needed a hero. Mr. Jones could be a model on top of being a hero.

[fullyloadedwp]

Super hero! Thank God for this outdoorsman. Well done good man!

[Sparrow]

Nicely done, David. That boy needs a nice warm blanket and lots and lots of love right about now.

[stevenhulbert]

Well done Mr Jones Jr, I want to know why the father wasn't still in his boat looking for his son!

[ms.laterholmes]

Yeah that seems very strange and that man was just standing there looking at them like oh you running back that was weird. David you are awesome thank you so much