An 8-year-old boy was rescued from the fast current of the Dowagiac River.

Cass County Sheriff’s deputies were called around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, to the river near Arthur Dodd Memorial Park to find the boy about 20 feet from shore hanging on to a submerged tree in fast moving water.

Deputies and Fire personal entered the water and were able to safely rescue the juvenile.

The boy and his mother were kayaking down the river when high water levels and fast currents caused the juvenile’s kayak to overturn and the boy to fall into the water.

Proper U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices were being worn.

The boy was taken Lakeland Niles Hospital for minor injuries.