A 14-year-old boy is being credited with a swift rescue after using a lasso to save a man from the Yellowstone River. Jory Thomas was camping with his family near Greycliff, Montana, on July 5 when they heard cries for help.
According to reports, a raft and paddleboard had struck a bridge pillar, ejecting four individuals into the river. While three people managed to reach the shore, one man continued to drift downstream, holding onto a cooler. Thomas stated that the river's current was fast and the man was moving quickly downstream.
Thomas, who had recently been practicing roping skills for work on his family's ranch, retrieved a 12-foot lariat. He crossed a shallow side channel and ran along the riverbank to get into position. He successfully threw the lasso on his first attempt, catching the man.
Thomas then pulled the man towards the shore through chest-deep water until first responders arrived on the scene. The teenager mentioned that he had only recently started taking roping seriously this year while working with cattle, noting that his skills improved with practice.
The Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office later honored Thomas with a Certificate of Achievement for his actions near Pelican Fishing Access. Sheriff Ronneberg and Undersheriff Swanson acknowledged the teen's life-saving effort in a social media post.
Thomas attributed his presence and ability to act to his faith, stating he felt guided to help. He reflected that he never anticipated the ranching skills he learned would be used to save a human life.