It was a weekend of emotional highs and lows in St. Clair. The Sheriff’s Office has been searching, since Friday evening for 21-year-old East China man and St. Clair High School graduate Riley Gleason. The Sheriff’s Office released information yesterday that shed light on what possibly lead to the tragic event. They say Gleason was on a boat behind the St. Clair Inn when he jumped into the river. Two friends who were with Gleason said that he immediately began calling for help. One of the friends said he threw a rope and then a flotation device to Gleason, but neither worked. He then jumped into the water and was able to grab Gleason. However, Gleason eventually slipped from his grasp and went underwater.
Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Marine Division and a St. Clair Fire Department boat were called to the area shortly before 9:00 Friday. The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was dispatched shortly after. Rescue operations continued through yesterday evening. In the wake of this terribly unfortunate event, the community has come together in many ways. Sunday morning a prayer vigil was held at the boardwalk and now a Meal Train along with a donation site have been set up to assist the family in this difficult time.
