Rural Mason man recognized for life saving actions

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ill. (WAND)- A Rural Mason man was recognized by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office with a Distinguished Act Award.

Travis Macklin was honored during the April Effingham County Board meeting for his heroic actions on April 2, 2024.

According to the Sheriff's Office, on April 2nd, at approximately 8:45 p.m., a car driven by a young woman crashed into the Little Wabash River floodwaters on 300th Avenue. The car was washed off of the roadway and moved down the river, where it was temporarily stopped by some small trees.

The woman couldn’t swim, and climbed through the sunroof, to try to escape the rising water by standing on her car. Travis saw the light from the woman’s cell phone, when he looked out of his kitchen window. He ran outside, entered the floodwaters and rescued the young woman before she was swept away.

Police said, Travis had the woman back to dry ground before emergency first responders arrived.

Effingham Sheriff Paul Kuhns stated "Travis Macklin’s actions are just another example of one of the many things that are right about our community. Even though he was very humble about the incident, I recognize his bravery."