Teen cowboy heard a cry for help from the Yellowstone River. His first-ever lasso throw saved a life
14-year-old Jory had learned roping while growing up on his Montana ranch, but he never imagined that the skill would come to use in this way
The Yellowstone River is one of the most popular attractions in Yellowstone National Park, but it is also one of its most dangerous. Fast-moving water, strong currents, and cold temperatures can quickly overwhelm even experienced swimmers. On July 5, 2026, the 14-year-old Jory Thomas witnessed just how dangerous the river could be while camping nearby with his grandparents, and he heard a cry of help. Without thinking twice, he pulled out a rope and an unlikely skill from his memory to lasso the struggling man like a cowboy. Thomas’s courage and dexterity are now being praised across the whole country, according to a July 20, 2026 report by KTVQ.
Unsuspecting hobby to the rescue
Thomas’s grandmother Sandy revealed that he has spent a year practicing roping on the Montana ranch where he grew up. Every summer, he visits this campground a couple of times with his grandparents, but never before did he carry this 12-foot lariat. It’s as if he was in the right place at the right time and subconsciously packed the rope on this particular trip when they heard echoes of someone screaming, “Help! Help!”
'I didn't want to see anyone go in front of me'
A floating raft and paddleboard had collided into a bridge pillar and capsized, tossing four people into the river. While three of them succeeded in swimming out, one continued to get swept downstream while holding onto a cooler. "This current was pretty fast then, and he was moving pretty quickly," Thomas described. "Only thing I could focus on was helping him get out of the water because I didn't want to see anyone go in front of me.” It was in that moment that Thomas was reminded of his rodeo skills, even though he wasn’t sure it would prove to be helpful.
Rescue on instinct
Thomas emptied his pockets, submerged waist-deep into the river, and flung the rope towards the struggling man to loop it around him and drag him to the riverbank. He caught him on the first try. After the man was out in safety, Thomas walked to Sandy and said, “I think I just saved a life,” and felt 'pretty good' afterward. Meanwhile, Thomas’s father, who works in the Big Timber Volunteer Fire Department, had called 911. By the time the rescue team arrived, about three minutes later, Thomas had pulled the drowning man to safety. Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg later told Cowboy State Daily (CSD), "Had Jory not acted, I believe the chances of this individual not making it to shore were very slim.”
Sandy said helping others is always Thomas' first instinct. “That’s just who he is,” she told CSD. As for Thomas, he believes that it was an act of God that prompted him to bring his lasso that day.
Yellowstone's rivers: Mouth of a monster
The drowning man was fortunate that Thomas happened to be there with his lasso. Otherwise, the 671-mile-long Yellowstone River holds a wicked reputation of trapping people in its icy snowmelts and swift currents. According to statistics cited by The Madisonian, over 100 people have lost their lives in Yellowstone Park’s cold rivers, lakes, and streams. “There’s a lot of hidden dangers in the river: undertows, garbage, sharp objects, barbed wire, things like that. It's just a very dangerous place to be," Shane Weinreis, Dive Officer with the U.S. Water Rescue Dive Team, explained to KULR8.
'Refreshing to see a young man like this'
Viewers jumped into the comments section of the story to shout a flurry of praises for the courageous teenager. Others said it was divine intervention. @SusanWray-m8d remarked, “Hero at the right place at the right time. Well done, young man.” @sonofrancobollo said, “Refreshing to see a young man like this. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope for America.” @ourfloridagarden4191 commented, “I love this kid. Reminds me of my Eagle Scout son. They just know what to do in a crisis.”
More on Scoop Upworthy
Bikers queue up at girl's lemonade stand in Indiana to thank her mom who saved their lives
Tiffany Haddish heard a voice mid-show, ran offstage, and said: 'You saved my life'
Boy missing for 18 hours saved by pilot — his savior turned out to be famous 'Star Wars' actor
Share on Facebook
