WILSON’S MILLS, N.C. — What began as a peaceful evening on the Neuse River quickly turned into a fight against the elements as a family of four found themselves trapped on the water during one of Sunday’s most intense thunderstorms.
As heavy rain poured from the sky, lightning flashed overhead and darkness settled across the river, the two adults and two children realized they were in trouble.
Their call to 911 set in motion a massive rescue effort involving nearly 50 Johnston County first responders willing to put themselves in harm’s way to bring four strangers safely back to shore.
The local family had launched their boats shortly after 6 p.m. from the Fire Department Road bridge, expecting a short trip down the Neuse River. Instead, they found themselves caught in a fast-moving storm that dumped inches of rain across Johnston County…