13-year-old found clinging to tree after current takes her upstream in Baytown-area river: BPD

BAYTOWN, Texas (KTRK) -- A 13-year-old is recovering following a water rescue after she veered off while playing in the Cedar Bayou River on Wednesday evening, according to the Baytown Police Department.

Officials said the child and her brother were playing in the river in the 7800 block of Brooks Crossing Drive before 5 p.m., when she became separated from him and was carried downstream. The girl's brother quickly got back to shore and told their mother, who reported the child missing, BPD said.

Emergency personnel responded and launched a search for the teen, who was found a mile up the stream, clinging to a tree.

Police said the rescue crew threw the teen ropes, went out farther with a fireboat, and carried her to drier land. Officials said she was checked out and was reunited with her family at a nearby docking area.

Authorities reminded the public that fast-moving water is dangerous, even when it appears shallow, and that children should be supervised around water.