Collinsville Teen Drowns In Meramec River Saturday

A Collinsville teen who spent the weekend with his best friend and his parents Friday and Saturday at Meramec Caverns drowned Saturday after going from shallow water into a deep section of the Meramec River, along the caverns.

The teen has been identified as Horace Grigsby, 15. 

Sullivan Firefighters responded with their water rescue boat along with St. Clair and Bourbon Fire water rescue at 12:49 p.m.

According to reports, the teen was with his best friend and his best friend’s family and had been floating from the Caverns gravel bar Friday and Saturday, down to a take out area that is posted for no swimming. This area has a history of dropping off into deep water, often with strong currents.

The teen got into trouble in the stretch of water and went under after his friend and family attempted to rescue him.

Grigsby is the second teen to drown in the local area stretch of the Meramec River within the last month.

On May 16, William “Allen” Bergner Jr., 17, Bourbon, was swimming at Meramec State Park, located up river from Meramec Caverns. He attempted to swim across the river when he went underwater and was located a short time later by Sullivan Firefighters. Bergner also passed away at Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital.

Read more on this story in the June 9 issue of the Independent News.