Six rescued from boat on Mississippi River
<span>Thunderstorms may have played a part in a boat rescue late Sunday night near Ste. Genevieve on the Mississippi River.</span>
<span>According to Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert, his department was called out to rescue two adults and four children who were stranded on a boat three miles north of the Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam.</span>
<span>The names of the boat's occupants, who were not injured in the incident, were not released.</span>
<span>"The boat quit running and they didn't know why," Bert said. "They were able to contact the (Randolph County) sheriff's office."</span>
<span>Chief Deputy Jarrod Peters of the Randolph County Sheriff's office said the boat became stranded on a sandbar across from Ste. Genevieve's Marina de Gabouri.</span>
<span>"Conservation police were notified and the Coast Guard was notified to close all traffic on the river until the individuals were located," he said.</span>
<span>Bert said Southern Illinois Transfer Company towboat "Dale W." was nearby and able to pick up the stranded passengers and take them to safety near Mississippi Lime.</span>
<span>"We took the lead on the rescue," Bert said. "Ste. Gen couldn't get their (rescue) boat in because the water was too low. We put our (rescue) boat in at the Lock and Dam."</span>
<span>Bert said first responders, which also included MedStar Ambulance and the sheriff's office, were positioned at the Lock and Dam when the Dale W. got permission to assist in the rescue.</span>
<span>According to SITCO personnel, the Dale W. was under the command of Pilot Jeffrey Jones with deckhand Nathan Cooley on board.</span>
<span>"It was more instinct than anything," Jones said. "I've got some kids myself."</span>
<span>Jones said the boat's passengers were from De Soto, Mo., and Bonne Terre, Mo., and their boat was a 17-foot Jon boat.</span>
<span>"I'd seen them upriver earlier in the day, but as soon as I saw their lights flashing, I went toward them," Jones said.</span>
<span>Bert said his department received the page at 9:30 p.m. and was back in service at 12 a.m.</span>