A woman is dead after drowning in the South Fork Little Barren River near the Sulphur Well community Monday evening.
The Metcalfe County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area at the end of Cedar Top-Little Barren River Road after Kentucky State Police Post 15 got a call for service just before 8 p.m.
Deputy Jarrod Steele with Kentucky State Police was the first to arrive and said he saw a woman floating in the water. The woman was unresponsive, according to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, which also responded to the scene and is leading the investigation.
A 6-year-old boy was found in the water, clinging to a rock, according to Game Warden Keith Young, a spokesperson for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s District 4.
Steele helped the child reach the shore before recovering the woman from the water. Life-saving measures were attempted on the woman, but were unsuccessful, according to officials.
Authorities have identified the woman as 34-year-old Amber West. Officials said West had been at the river with two of her children, and authorities said they believe the family was there for recreational purposes.
Authorities believe West got into the water to try and rescue her son.
The 6-year-old was taken to T.J. Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow before being airlifted to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville. Officials said the child was reportedly recovering well.
Officials said the children were the only witnesses at the scene. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding West’s death.
A Metcalfe County fire unit also responded to the scene.
Source: WBK
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