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Man saves fishermen
Published Saturday, April 12, 2008
NATCHEZ — When Herman Nettles went to check on his fishing camp on Old River last week, he found a lot more than just high water.
Nettles, 77, said as he pulled up to his dock he heard loud voices coming from somewhere in the near by trees.
“Then I heard ‘help, help,’” he said.
Upon investigation, Nettles found two fisherman, a father and son team, whose boat had sunk.
“That old man was just about froze to death,” he said.
Nettles said the old man, Richard Murray, 81, of Monroe, La., and his son were in a tree soaking wet and freezing cold when he found them.
Nettles said he did not know the name of the man’s son but said he looked to be about 50 or 55.
Nettles said the boat the two men were in was likely overloaded. It was carrying two ATVs, when choppy waters flooded and sank the boat.
“That old man told me he thought he’d never see his wife again,” he said.
And had Nettles not found the two men Murray may not have.
Murray told Nettles they were in the water for four hours.
Nettles put the two men in his boat and rushed them back to his camp.
“I turned the butane heater on them for them to warm up,” he said. “I gave them a pot of coffee and some canned weenies.”
Nettles said he gave the two men dry clothes and drove them back to their vehicle in Deer Park.
Nettles said after their boat sank the two men drifted from Deer Park to Fairview, approximately five miles.
Aside from the stroke of luck that placed Nettles near the two men in their time of need, Nettles said divine intervention also played a role in the rescue.
Nettles is very hard of hearing; when his wife and children speak to him they practically shout.
Nettles’ hearing is so deteriorated that he cannot use the telephone.
“The good Lord made me hear them,” he said. “And the motor was running.”
Nettles and his wife Lois agreed it was amazing that he was able to hear the men’s cries over the boat’s engine.
Nettles said Murray has since visited to drop off the overalls and thank him again.
“When you have a chance to save a man’s life it makes you feel good,” he said.
Comments
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go, Herman. Your mama, Edna, is smiling down on you today.
Posted by Godschild77 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are truly a blessing!!!
Posted by Roy (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Herman, you da man. Your new title is HERO.
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 2:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, Herman the HERO. God sent you there.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 3:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Nettes has always been such a good man..No wonder God choice him to save these mens life....
Like you said frogprincenessntz Ms. Edna is surely smiling upon her son....
Posted by eaglebe (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We needed a good story! Mr. Nettles, thanks. I am praising the Lord for you and for saving that family from grief.
Wow! What a MIRACLE! An intervention from God!
Posted by itsawounderfullife (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Miracles DO happen :)
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We have Santa Claus and HEROES. And I will also repeat, MIRACLES DO HAPPEN.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job , Mr. Nettles ! You need to be on T V with your story . This is the kind of thing that makes you believe in good things ,like God and humanity .
Posted by Classylady (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations, Mr. Nettles, you are truly a HERO and may the Lord bless you. I hope the two men are also doing well. Mr. Nettles must be in pretty good physical condition to have made such a rescue. I couldn't help adding a little humor, a 77 year old man calling an 81 year old man, "the old man." (Smile)
I agree, it certainly was good to start the day with a good article. Again congratulations, and may God continue to bless each of you.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is such a great story to read!
I do believe God played a major role in this rescue and I am so very happy that all 3 men are safe and sound!
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This was definitely divine intervention! I'm so glad they are okay and we have a happy ending to what could have easily been another sad story of more drownings in a span of one week. Mr. Nettles is a hero and deserves official recognition for his heroic efforts.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you God and Mr. Nettles. The power of God is so strong and I was so glad to open up my Democrat this morning and have such a blessed story to fill my heart with gladness!!!!!
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its very refreshing to see so many people give credit where credit is due. So often in the news we read stories where people claim a life was saved by "luck". But the Psalms tell us that "escapes from death belong to the Lord".
Posted by meluvcookies (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you, sweet Jesus! Just in case the men from Monroe weren't believers, maybe now they can be. Sometimes a near tragic situation, or even a tragic situation, it takes things like these to help us come to God and surrender our lives to Him! He's in control and, though in tragic situations, we may never know why, He does and it is He who knows best. As I said, it may be to bring a loved one to Him so that someday we can join them to live eternally. Thank you, Mr. Herman, for a job well done. Thank you, Father God, for allowing Mr. Herman to hear these men calling for help. God bless everyone!
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
meluvcookies...yes indeedy! God bless everyone on this beautiful Saturday! God is showing HIs love for us in so many ways...we just have to open our eyes and SEE, open our ears and HEAR, and open our hearts and FEEL.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After all the terrible things that have been happening in the area lately we finally have a TRUE hero, MR. HERMAN NETTLES! Be proud of yourself, we all are.
Mr Murray you and your son are heroes also for not giving up that was a long journey.
Let's be thankful things turned out they did.
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A story with a beautiful end...Thank God for placing you there.I now hope to read that this man has been honored
for this act which probably came naturally and it shows there are still wonderful persons that live among us.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW what a story! We needed to hear that one!
Posted by sparky018 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God Bless You Mr. Nettles! You are a true hero! The GOOD Lord was looking down on them and you that day!
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Mr. Nettles. Way to go.
Posted by kd (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those guys better be thanking God that Nettles was there! Whenever there's a flood, there's always going to be a couple of idiots who think they can drive thru it or in this case, navigate their overloaded boat thru the fast current!
Posted by dwhitley (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So refreshing to read a great story instead of all of the tradegies
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That is a great story to read tonight. Great job Mr. Nettles!!!
Posted by southern_bell (anonymous) on April 13, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Mr. Nettles !!!!!! I know you from the Sibley Store and always said you had a heart of gold.. You have the "" HERO OF THE MONTH "" Award from me.. I can just see Mrs. Lois now with that sweet voice and smile telling everyone she knows, THAT"S MY HERMAN always helping people.
May God Bless you both and the other family too.
Posted by blessed_momma (anonymous) on April 13, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
PRAISE be to God! Wow! What a mighty big, awesome God we serve! It was truly a miracle from God. Thank God and thank you Mr. Herman! Another jewel was added to your heavenly crown! May God continue to use and lead and guide you! God bless! Again, PRAISE GOD!
Posted by blueeydlady101 (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to thank each and everyone of you for the nice things you had to say about HERMAN NETTLES. This is my father and he is a great man. Growing up in his home was like a movie. He was always helping to rescue people out of the river. Some were lucky like these two men and others weren't so lucky.
I just hope someone is there whenever that mean old river tries to take my DAD like it did his.
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