A tragedy was avoided along the Cumberland River last week thanks to Conservation Officer Derek Creech being in the right place at the right time, according to a post on the Department of Fish & Wildlife Law Enforcement Facebook page.

Creech had just finished a routine compliance check and had a friendly conservation at the boat ramp with a man joined by his young grandson and a family friend. The boy got into the truck and somehow it was knocked out of gear and rolled down the boat ramp and into the river with the boy still inside.

Officer Creech and the other two men jumped in to rescue the boy. The grandfather was able to get him out of the truck and passed him to Creech who swam him back to shore.

Creech contacted dispatch for a wrecker and retrieved a tow rope to keep the truck from going further downriver.

The truck was pulled from the river and thankfully everyone went home safely.