Teenager's Quick Thinking Saves Drowning Man in Yellowstone River

WHO:

Fox News - Jory Thomas, a 14-year-old Montana rancher-in-training.

Fox News - Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Alan Ronneberg, Undersheriff Ron Swanson.

WHAT:

Fox News - Jory Thomas used a lasso to rescue a drowning man from the Yellowstone River.

Fox News - The Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office honored Thomas with a Certificate of Achievement for his actions.

WHERE:

Fox News - Yellowstone River, near Greycliff, Montana.

Fox News - Pelican Fishing Access, where the rescue took place.

WHEN:

Fox News - The incident occurred on July 5.

Fox News - The Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office recognized Thomas after the rescue.

WHY:

Fox News - Thomas believed that God guided him to act in the situation, stating, "God was basically putting me in the place of all this."

HOW:

Fox News - Thomas emptied his pockets, crossed a waist-deep side channel, and used a 12-foot lariat to lasso the man.

Fox News - Thomas pulled the man toward shore through chest-deep water until first responders arrived.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 18:45 UTC)

In a remarkable act of bravery, 14-year-old Jory Thomas, a rancher-in-training from Montana, used a lasso to rescue a drowning man from the Yellowstone River near Greycliff. The Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office honored Thomas with a Certificate of Achievement for his quick thinking and courage during the incident, which took place on July 5. Thomas, who believed he was guided by a higher power, emptied his pockets, crossed a waist-deep channel, and pulled the man to safety through chest-deep water until help arrived.