Missing ATV rider found alive after search at Sardis Lake bottom, sheriff’s office says

Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched at 8:56 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, after a report of a missing person in the southeast area of the Sardis Lake bottom, according to a post from the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said Estes and another person had been in the area on an all-terrain vehicle when it became disabled. One person walked out to seek help while the other stayed with the ATV, the post said.

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, Lafayette County Fire Department Search and Rescue, the Lafayette County Emergency Management Agency K9 and Incident Response Team, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks participated in the search.

Deputies located Estes at 1:51 p.m., the sheriff’s office said. Paramedics with the Lafayette County Fire Department and Baptist Ambulance Service reached her on foot and began treatment while rescuers developed a plan to remove her from the lake bottom.

Firefighters, deputies and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officers moved Estes to a clear area for transport. Hospital Wing of Oxford transported her to Baptist North Mississippi in stable condition, according to the post. The sheriff’s office said her condition had not been confirmed as of the release.

Sheriff Joey East praised the agencies’ response. “This is exactly the kind of teamwork we train for, multiple agencies coming together with a single goal,” East said. “I'm grateful for the professionalism and dedication of every deputy, firefighter, EMA team member and Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officer who took part in this search. Most of all, we're thankful this situation had a positive outcome and that Ms. Estes is safe.”

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Lafayette County Fire Department, Lafayette County Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Baptist Ambulance Service and Hospital Wing of Oxford for their assistance.

Source: Original source announcement