Off-duty Rowan County firefighter helps save boy on High Rock Lake

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — An off-duty Rowan County firefighter was boating on High Rock Lake when he was called in by the county rescue squad to save an 11-year-old boy in the water.

A relaxing family boat trip on High Rock Lake became a water rescue mission in a matter of seconds.

Miller’s Ferry Fire Captain Adam Parnell says he’s always on the clock.

“You just kind of have to jump into it and make the initial call,” Adam said.

Sunday afternoon was no different.

The Rowan County Rescue Squad called him to help save an 11-year-old on the same lake who was injured by a boat propeller, according to Rowan County Emergency Services and NC Wildlife officials.

Thankfully, Adam was just a five-minute boat ride from the victim who was on the northern side of Crane Creek in Rowan County.

“I made contact with the dad. I saw a couple of jet skiers and told them to go pick up the fire chief … on the piers … They rode over, grabbed him and when they got there, we started treating the patient. I already jumped off my boat, swam to their boat and made patient contact,” Adam said.

According to Adam, with the help of several Rowan County agencies, fire responders brought the 11-year-old to the shore where he was flown to a nearby hospital.

With Memorial Day Weekend ahead of us, RCRS Chief Bobby Parnell has a safety message for boaters.

“Knowing your location is important, and wearing your life jacket is essential,” Bobby said.

We’ve reached out for an update on how the 11-year-old is doing and what kind of injuries he received.

Officials say no one has been charged in this case.

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