Man drowns in Meramec River near Eureka

EUREKA, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A man was the victim of a drowning Saturday afternoon on the Meramec River near Eureka.

Eureka Fire Protection District told First Alert 4 that first responders were dispatched at 1:04 p.m. to a reported drowning near the Highway 109 bridge over the Meramec River.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) identified the drowning victim as 48-year-old Bryan L. Wilson of High Ridge. A 50-year-old woman was also transported to a hospital for injuries sustained in the incident.

The victims were part of a group canoeing on the river, the fire district said. An investigation is ongoing.

MSHP said the two victims had left their canoes and were sitting on a rock. Then, the female victim entered the water and began to struggle. Wilson then entered the water to try to rescue the woman and then began to struggle himself.

Another group of people also floating down the river saw both victims struggling and began rescuing them, according to MSHP.

Eureka Fire personnel were assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, High Ridge Fire District and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

This is a developing story. First Alert 4 will provide additional details when they are available.