Video: Volunteers Help in Search and Rescue Effort

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s day three for the search and rescue efforts to find a little boy who was swept away in Luxapilia Creek after the ATV he was riding on flipped trying to cross a spillway. The out pouring of support has been tremendous and those looking to volunteer their time have been many.

Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Ray says, “The community has come together and they have provided drinks and ice. We asked for gas for some of the boats for responders. Within an hour there was over 100 gallons donated.”

Dozens of volunteers have turned out in support of the Brown family to help find their little boy. Justin Brown went missing after the ATV he was riding on with his father flipped trying to cross the Magby Creek Spillway. His brother Jacob drowned in the accident. Two other children were also on the ATV but both survived. It’s a tragic event and those looking to help have come out in big numbers.

Supporter Vickie Harris says, “After this tragedy happened my heart goes out to the family and I hope they get some closure. We brought water and sodas. I asked what else did they need and we’ll bring out more stuff later.”

Area businesses have also stepped up donating food supplies and what ever is needed.

Ray says, “We’ve had coolers, ice, drinks, baby wipes, Clorox wipes, they donated a porta jon for people and trash cans. People have brought boats and dropped them off and said here, if you need use it.”

Search and rescue crews have been working all day and in to the night since Sunday. Currently crews and volunteers are traveling up and down the Luxipilila searching the water as well as creek banks.

The out pouring of support has been tremendous. Folks are coming from all around, Alabama even as far as Yazoo City just to lend a helping hand. I spoke with a volunteer just moments ago and they said folks are only going home to sleep and grab a quick shower and then they’re at it again.

According to Volunteer James Stover, “I know moms hurting, the daughters hurting and the daddy’s hurting. I just wanted to come out here and give an extra hand out that’s needed.”

If you would like to help there is a trust fund set up in the name of the Brown Family at the Cadence Bank in Columbus.