Limestone County presents Carnegie Award to resident who rescued person from Elk River

The Limestone County Commission on Oct. 6 presented a Carnegie Award to John Reinhart for rescuing a person from the Elk River after the individual's kayak overturned.

The award recognizes Reinhart’s actions in March when, hearing gunshots and a possible distress signal near the river, he left his truck, located the person grasping a low-hanging tree limb roughly 40 feet from shore, returned to retrieve a garbage bag and duct tape, and entered the water with his 13-year-old daughter present to fashion and deliver a flotation aid. Reinhart swam approximately 40 feet to the person, provided the improvised flotation device and supported the person back to riverbank roots where they held until sheriff’s deputies and firefighters used ropes and straps to haul the person to safety. Emergency personnel transported the person for treatment for cold exposure; the meeting record states the person has recovered. Reinhart was cold but otherwise unharmed.

The presiding officer described the event and called it a ‘‘great story,’’ saying the award recognized a hometown act of bravery that reflects well on the community. The presiding officer noted the county thanked Reinhart and his 13-year-old daughter for their role in the rescue. Reinhart accepted the award and thanked the commission and attendees.

Commissioners and staff also clarified the rescue location during later remarks as the Elk River at the Easter Ferry boat ramp. The transcript contains inconsistent spellings of the rescued person’s name (appearing as both "Barnett" and "Bennett"); the meeting first identifies the person as Kayla Barnett, age 32. The commission did not take a formal vote related to the award; the presentation took place at the start of the session and was followed by routine agenda business.