HOUSTON – The Houston Fire Department rescued a man Saturday afternoon who was floating down the San Jacinto River.
HFD said firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 2:39 p.m. after a man was spotted floating in the river near Timberline Drive and Highway 59 in northeast Houston.
Firefighters were sent in three boats that were placed along the river near the dam area, officials said. HFD also requested a Houston Police Department helicopter to aid in the search.
Officials said he was found around 4 p.m. in a tree near 211 Forest Cove. He was naked when they saved him.
“He just kept saying 'help,'" neighbor Sharon Hambrick said. "We had a short conversation for 20 minutes, and it would get quiet and it made me nervous. I thought 'Oh please, don't let him drown!'"
The man said the water was very cold and the tree's thorns poked into his arms. Authorities said there were several people in kayaks present at the time.
He was taken to Kingwood Hospital for observation, firefighters said.
HPD Lake Patrol Division is investigating why the man was in the river naked.