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Man stranded in river waters thanfkul for life
Published Saturday, April 19, 2008
NATCHEZ — After spending seven hours in the cold waters of Old River Richard Taylor thought he was near the end of his life.
“I had already begun to shake from hypothermia,” he said.
Taylor and his son, Randal, were the two men Herman Nettles rescued from Old River two weeks ago after their boat capsized.
When the story originally published in The Natchez Democrat Nettles identified the man as Richard Murray, not Taylor.
Nettles also thought Taylor lived in Monroe; Taylor actually lives in Start, La.
But Taylor’s just glad Nettles found them when he did.
“I really think the Lord Jesus sent him to us,” he said.
Taylor said after making a trip to Glasscock Island to retrieve two ATVs, their boat took on water and capsized on the return trip.
Taylor said he and his son floated in the current, resting on the hull of the capsized boat, until they found a tree to climb into.
Before they found that tree, Taylor’s son, Randal, swam to another tree with a rope but was too weak to tow his father and the boat to the tree.
The two men continued to drift for hours.
They were periodically rained on and constantly chilled by strong gusts of wind.
Taylor said during his time in the water he began to contemplate his life.
“I thought about things I shouldn’t have done, I thought about things I didn’t do that I should have,” he said. “I thought a lot about my wife.”
When the two men were finally in sight of the fishing camps in Fairview they began to shout for help.
Taylor said a north wind was blowing them in the direction of a tree, they used a sheet of wood as a sail to direct the boat.
“It looked like it was made for us,” he said. “I believe the Lord knew what he was doing.”
Taylor said he and his son sat in the tree for a long time before they were found.
Taylor later learned his son was contemplating swimming to a near by camp before dark.
Taylor said he was looking for a strong branch to tie himself to, so his body could be found.
Then they heard the sound of Nettles’ boat motor.
After calling for help they were able to direct Nettles to their location.
“It looked like the Lord Jesus was sitting on his shoulders telling him which way to go,” he said.
Nettles took the two men back to his camp where they were warmed, clothed, fed and returned to their vehicle.
Taylor, in his 80s, said the experience was life altering.
“The Lord gave me an attitude adjustment,” he said. “And he sent that man to save our lives.”
Comments
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Man stranded in river waters thanful for life..
He was what????
Posted by boboslady (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 12:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
God is so good! Thank God for your rescue.
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 1:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone involved were specially touched by God. I pray their lives continue to be blessed by His Presence.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Believe it or not I saved two people at the same time from drowning in the Gulf years ago. It was the first and only time I ever took a jet ski down there. It was the only one on the beach when I heard two people screaming from way out. I will never forget the look in their eyes. It was horror at it's pinnacle. I hope no one ever has to see that look in someones eyes. Thank God I had a ski there or everyone would have watched them drown.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tears are trying to spill out of my eyes. This story has moved me so much. Never underestimate what our Lord can do. He knows everything we go through and yes, He has a guiding hand on us. The older man had it right when he spoke of an attitude adjustment. God has a way of taking us on the outskirts of our world so we get a good look on the inside. Thanks Natchez Democrat for another great story.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
amen.. amen....
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
buttercup, I am so glad to see you back on again - I missed you! And yes, we are all THANKFUL that Mr. Nettles was there to save the lives of these men. I don't know any of them, but all lives are valuable. God does have a way of waking you up.
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a read!!!
God is sood.
Stay safe folks.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You did good Mr. Taylor. You hung tough. The Lord doesn't like quitters and I don't either. Glad you and son are OK.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For the HERO Mr. Nettles a big thank you and for Mr. Taylor and son always keep these hours in mind and thank God daily. I know you both will go on to be heroe's yourself when God needs you to be. Just listen for His call.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchezen., I'm sure God led you to be the HERO for those two. Bless your heart and remember to listen for that still small voice to call you again. God needs as many as He can get to help His children along the way.
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't type very well anymore.
God is good.
That makes more sense.
Sorry.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He is an on-time God, Yes He is.
I know the Lord was with Mr. Nettles, but I am also glad that Mr. Taylor had a few moments to contemplate what was really important in life, not ATVs, not trucks, not boats...but his son and his wife. I hope he pays as much attention to the Lord daily now as he did that day.
May God bless you and keep you.
Posted by kernel (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not want to take away from how awesome the rescue was of Mr. Taylor and his son. I also believe the God had his mighty hand on Mr. Nettles, and helped to make his hearing so very clear that day.
But Adam, after you 'fixed' the title of this article, you still didn't spell it correctly!!! First is was thanful, now it is thanfkul...but the correct spelling (if you don't have SpellCheck) is Thankful...and that is all there is to say about that!
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thanfkul....lawsy lawsy, just wish I knew what it meant.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice story, thank God that everyone is safe and sound now.
Posted by msubulldog (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just today the Adams County Sheriff's Department along with the Adams County Search and Ressue team was called to retrieve a body found floating in the Glascock/Carthage Point road area. Mr. Taylor and to everyone thank God Daily, and to Mr. Nettles you sir are the Man.
Posted by blueeydlady101 (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Nettles is my father. He has rescued about 15 people from the river. I am thankful to have him as my FATHER . Living with him was a very true learning of what life really means to a person. He has also helped search for the missing finding those who had expired.
Tradgedly the Hommochitto River took his father's life. My only prayer is that I hope someone will be there looking over him if that mean old river decides to try to take him from us.
Way to go DAD. I love you with all of my heart.
Posted by blueeydlady101 (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to thank each and everyone of you for the nice things you had to say about my Dad. He is a very great man that tries to help anyone he can.
To the two men that he rescued I am very thankful that you are safe at home with your families.
Posted by PIangel (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ok am i the only one crying here talk about a story I am sure when i say his dad as well as all of us thank God for those angels he desides to best us with on earth so I say you Mr. Nettles may be seen as a Hero to to many but i say you are an Angel and thank God for letting us all be blessed by his angels
Posted by hollywood (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good to read something "good" for a change!!! life is so precious!!
Posted by GopherBaroque (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea once again God threw those men in the water so he could teach them a lesson and then he took over Nettles' body so he could rescue them and get more praise.
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