Three men were rescued after their boat capsized in the Pearl River in Monticello Sunday.

At approximately 9:20 a.m., dispatch received a call that three men were in the river near the Georgia-Pacific Monticello Mill after their boat had overturned.

The men had been contracted by Canadian National Railroad to clear a logjam at the railroad bridge trestles behind the mill. While working, the boat capsized and the men were left hanging on to “trees, stumps, whatever they could get hold of,” Weeks said.

Due to the depth and swift movement of the river waters, Weeks said he was concerned that this would be a recovery mission rather than a rescue, but was relieved to find the three workers alive and well, all things considered.

“We launched our Lawrence County Fire and EMA rescue boat, and one of our firemen and one of his buddies also took a boat, and we were able to retrieve the guys from the water,” said Weeks.

Just wet and cold, the men were checked by Lifeguard Ambulance medical personnel on the scene, and released.

“They did have their life jackets on, that’s the main thing,” he said. “And they were able to get hold of something. Thanks to all agencies involved, these men get to go home.”

Weeks expressed thanks to River Reid for his assistance, as well as Monticello Fire Department, Lawrence County Fire Rescue, Lawrence County Emergency Management, Lifeguard Ambulance, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, and Georgia-Pacific Rope and Rescue.