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Man, Children Rescued After 3 Days On River
August 9, 2011
A Pensacola man and his two children were rescued in good condition Monday in North Escambia after three days on the Perdido River, thanks to the efforts of numerous agencies and an aerial search.
Christopher Eden, 31, of Pensacola and his two boys, ages 11 and 14, were last heard from Friday night, August 5, according to Bruce Shue, investigator for the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office.
Shue said Eden and the two boys put their kayaks into Perdido River along Highway 31 near Nokomis, Ala.,about 7 a.m. Friday with the goal of kayaking down the Perdido River to Muscogee Road in Cantonment. They had a cell phone and supplies, Shue said, last speaking to someone on their cell phone about 7:30 Friday night.
About 12:30 p.m. Monday, they were reported missing by a relative to the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Mike Lambert took to the air in a District Attorney’s Office plane and started a search in Nokomis. He located the family mid-afternoon in Florida, in a very remote area deep in the woods from the intersection of Highway 97A and Waters Ferry Road near Enon.
Deputies from the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office were able to eventually reach the family along the river, with the help of the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. Baldwin County Search and Rescue and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office were also involved in the search from the Alabama side of the river.
Eden and his two children were evaluated by medics from Atmore Ambulance; they refused transport to the hospital.
Eden told rescuers that they were unable to navigate the river due to stumps and trees across and in the waterway along the 21 mile trip.
Lambert was able to locate the family in about 10 minutes once he began his search at Highway 31 in Alabama, but it took rescuers well over an hour to reach them from the nearest roadway.
Pictured top: An adult and three children were rescued Monday after being lost on the Perdido River for three days. Pictured inset: Christopher Eden of Pensacola and his two children were uninjured. Pictured below: Eden was found after an aerial search near Highway 97A and Waters Ferry Road in Enon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
20 Responses to “Man, Children Rescued After 3 Days On River”
so glad they were ok
Hello Next Time. Gotcha!
They probably ran into that massive log jam that can be seen on Google maps satellite view. It’s visible if you pan due west from the curve on 97-A.
I had a feeling it was that one, considering I read an account from someone who kayaked the same stretch of river and encountered this jam. They both ended up having to turn around. I think they paddled up into Brushy Creek and got out at the Pineville Road bridge there.
I was not saying anything bad about this officer. I bet he was hot, I don’t care what he wears… he could be wearing boxer shorts for all I care. He did a great job and just looked good doing it… thats always a plus!!
@429 SCJ
I think you must have misinterpreted what was being said. I don’t think
anyone was saying anything derogatory or facetious about the officer
in the picture. We are all very proud of his save in this case. Three people
were saved from eminent danger and two were children. Not sure why
you would think anyone was being nasty about him, everyone knows
he is a hero, and we also think he is cute. lol
If you were in 105 degree weather at 98% humidity, you would remove your shirt as well. I believe this was a search and rescue mission, not a ceremony.
To “justsayin” and “Nexttime,” I’d “just-a-soon” shake his hand or slap him on the back.
Glad it was a safe outcome. Great job by everyone who was involved in the search and rescue of these individuals.
I must agree. Precious, “Precious” is absolutely precious!!!!
have a Safe Plan when taking your children on river outings of this kind.
Glad your all safe.
@justsayin
ABSOLUTELY! makes you just want to squish his little cheeks.
It’s amazing that they made it that far. I am very glad they’re ok. There were already lots of log jams on that river and Ivan and the other storms that we’ve had added some more. As dry as it has been, the water is very low which makes it worse. Everyone needs to get organized and get the corp of engineers to clear it. It is a beautiful stream.
Glad they were found safely. On another hand look at that Deputy isn’t he just precious!
Happened to our family years ago on Mother’s Day eve, on the Escambia River. We were in a 14 ft. fishing boat with two young elementary schoolers. The river was way to high for anyone to be out there. But, most men know “everything.” NOT!…. Took a wrong turn coming out of a lake area and ran out of gas. Finally drifted into some willows and tied up for the night. One of the worse nights of our life. Had on light summer clothes. It dropped into the 40s that night. Next day, the oar broke. Prayed the boat thru the bridge supports at Quintette. Grabbed hold to a rope tie dos a house boat as we sped by with an awesome current. Finally rescued by a fisherman way down on the bridge that heard one of us on top of the house boat, jumping up and down every time a car passed, hollering, “HELP, HELP.” We all had VERY sore muscles from shivering all night. Do not be stupid OR ignorant, when going out on a river. Have a plan. Know what you’re doing, let someone know where you will be and when to expect you back. No one even knew we were out there. One of was going to walk into a swamp and find land. Good thing I squelched that brilliant idea. Later, on a map, we saw that on the other side of the swamp was just more water. There is more to this story, but I am not allowed enough words. Just do it right. Please. Even 16 hours on the river in the conditions there that day and night, is something you do not want to experience. I promise.
wondering why escambia search and rescue wasnt called????
Plan ahead. Google earth. Carry around, utilize GPS. GLAD all were ok. Glad they didn’t risk crossing the log jam and end up in a worse situation.
All you need is a pocket knife and a sock according to Bear Grylls!
Maybe next time they will check out the area ahead of time. Or you carry your kayak overland to a place where you can get back in the water. Did they ever take any wilderness training?
I think stumps and trees are the key words here. I remember a 2 day nightmare that started in Phillipsville on Dyess creek. I suggest Google earth.
What?! No cell towers along the river?
Some of them log jams above Barrineau Park Bridge are big and have been there for years. I’m glad there safe but not a good move on his part. You can see them on Google Earth.
glad this was a happy ending and they were all ok.