SPRINGFIELD — A rescue operation occurred at the Lake Springfield dam in Missouri on June 14 after four individuals were swept over it. The incident resulted in injuries to civilians and firefighters, and additional fatalities.

The four individuals were using a kayak and two connected inflatable tubes when they were swept over the dam. During the response, a water rescue boat capsized in the currents near the dam. A responder rappelled from South Farm Road 169 to retrieve 12-year-old Aurelie Stawny, who was transported to a hospital and subsequently released.

Police identified 40-year-old Taylor Stawny as missing following the incident. Search teams located the body of 19-year-old Andrea Stawny approximately a quarter of a mile downriver on June 16. The body of 17-year-old Sofie Stawny was found near the dam on June 17, and search efforts for the remaining missing person were expected to continue throughout Wednesday.

Three firefighters were injured during the rescue and transported to a hospital, and all three have since been discharged. The operation involved more than 30 Springfield Fire Department personnel and approximately 25 responders from external agencies. The incident occurred while southwest Missouri was recovering from weekend storms and heavy rainfall.

"I am proud of the response by our Water Rescue Team and members of the fire department to this tragic incident, and thankful that all of our firefighters are safe and on the path to recovery from their injuries," Fire Chief David Pennington said.

"I have the utmost respect for the men and women of the Springfield Fire Department, who courageously ran toward danger to save lives. Sunday's water rescue operation at Lake Springfield was heroic. We all owe our water rescue team and those supporting them a huge debt of gratitude," Mayor Jeff Schrag said.