Boy 10, saves boy 16, who fell over cliff into Mississippi River

A 10-year-old boy is being called a hero after he rescued an older teenager who fell from a cliff and landed in the Mississippi River 30 feet below.

Jacob Hemmingson-Seaton had taken his grandmother's dog for a walk with her 16-year-old neighbor Doug Gjerdahl Thursday afternoon. As the dogs ran free, the two boys had ventured down a wooded path in Riverside Park in St. Paul Park to explore caves and look for rocks and snakes. When they were ascending up the steep trail overlooking the river, Gjerdahl lost his footing and fell over the cliff and in the chilly water.

Hemmingson-Seaton made his way to Gjerdahl, who was lying face up in the water and going into convulsions. Despite being outweighed by nearly 100 pounds, he pulled the older teen to safety, authorities said.

First responders from St. Paul Park and Cottage Grove arrived and managed to get him on a rescue boat. Gjerdahl was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and was in good condition Friday.