Man rescued from river island

Sidney man says rising waters left him stuck for days.

— Emergency SIDNEY crews rescued a Sidney man from an island in the Great Miami River on Friday, and the man said he had been stuck on the island since Sunday after the water began to rise too quickly for him to evacuate.

Rescue workers said that Verlin Powers was homeless and been camping on the small island since Saturday. After being rescued, Powers was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital, though he appeared uninjured.

Powers said he was grateful for the rescuers who helped him.

“The rescue guys are number one,” Powers said just before an ambulance took him away.

Sidney Deputy Fire Chief Cameron Haller said mechanical problems with the boats slowed the rescue. At 11 a.m. Friday the man was put on a boat, but the boat began drifting downriver after the mechanical issues caused by the strong current, officials said.

The rescue workers and Powers drifted downstream but were able to tie up and stop their descent down river. Another rescue team needed to be called to help, Haller said, but they were able to complete the rescue.

Harold Stover, who lives at 250 Miami River Road, made the 911 call. Stover said he was driving on Miami River Road and had his windows down when heard a call for help.

He drove further down onto a flooded part of the road and saw Powers, who Stover said began rolling up his bedroll and collecting his belongings. Stover told Powers to stay where he was and called 911.

“I think he thought I could help him right away,” Stover said. “The guy looked in pretty good shape for being out there since Sunday.”