Person helping with sand bags suffers medical emergency, taken away in inflatable boat

A man was trying to help his friend place sand bags in front of his house at 1217 N. Water St. when he suffered a medical emergency and he needed to be carried away by Cape Girardeau firefighters in an inflatable boat.

Capt. Jeff Crites said the water around the man's house was between 1 1/2 and 3 feet high and he told the resident that his house would inevitably flood with about 3 more feet of water expected for the area. The resident was somewhat aware of the circumstances because he had a boat tied to his house.

"We'll be back down there for some reason, back in the area," Crites said. "If not tonight than tomorrow. Anyone who lives in that area needs to leave."

The man suffering from the medical condition, although difficult to handle and transfer to the fire department boat, was transported safely to a Cape Girardeau hospital. Crites declined to release any information about the man.

Crites said most of the people in the Red Star District have already evacuated.

"There's always a few hardcore people that try to stay," he said.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

1217 N. Water St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.