Overview
- A 2-year-old fell into a flooded basement and was given life-saving aid by the child's mother and first responders before being airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital; the child's condition is not yet known.
- Responders faced impassable roads and deep water that surrounded the home, which slowed access to the scene and required extra measures to reach the family.
- A nearby farmer used a tractor to help emergency crews reach the residence and to move the child and other family members to safety.
- Rush County authorities say it is unclear how the child entered the basement and have opened an investigation while describing the event as a tragic accident.
- The rescue comes amid widespread, record-level flooding across eastern Indiana that has blocked roads, prompted multiple fatalities and drawn a state emergency declaration and National Guard deployment to assist local officials.