Man drowns trying to rescue young woman in Noel
City of Noel Fire & Rescue responded to the low head dam on Elk River, two reported drowning
Shannon Becker, KOA- TV- Pittsburgh, KS
July 20, 2025
Charley Jones, 43, of Neosho, Mo. died while rescuing a kayaker who was drowning on Elk River.
NOEL, Mo. (KOAM) — About 5:44 p.m. Sunday E-911 was alerted to two people drowning, in the water, in distress at the Elk River low head dam on the west side of town. Noel Fire Dept, Noel Marshals, McDonald County Deputies and Freeman Ambulance responded. Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers and Water Patrol Div. were notified.
On the scene in Noel we learn a female, about 26-years old, went over the low head dam in a kayak and was caught in the rolling current. An adult male, about 55-years old, jumped in to rescue the young woman. We are told she kept a hold of her kayak and it pushed her out of the rolling current at one time before it was too late.
The male got caught in the rolling waters. A bystander pulled him out of the current and Noel Water Rescue had arrived in the water and were performing CPR before he was out of the water. City of Noel Fire & Rescue got both patients out of the water. The young woman did not require medical care.The male was not-responsive and rushed Priority 1, lights and sirens, to a Gravette, Ark. Hospital. He was pronounced at the hospital later
