Cowboy uses lariat to rescue boy in well

[June 19, 2009]  DODDRIDGE, Ark. (AP) -- It was a cowboy to the rescue when a 7-year-old boy fell into an abandoned water well in southwest Arkansas. Reed Nations lassoed Jonathan Easter out of the well with a lariat Tuesday morning before rescuers summoned by his grandmother could arrive.

Jonathan was helping his aunt clear brush around an old house near Doddridge, about four miles from the Louisiana border. He fell 20 to 30 feet down the well, which has sand walls. Nations came from a nearby ranch and used a rope lariat to pull Jonathan to safety. Jonathan escaped with only a cut on his arm, Miller County sheriff's deputy Alan Keller said. Nations is a modest cowboy. Arkansas State Police Sgt. John Bishop said Nations doesn't want any notoriety. Firefighters have covered the well. ___ Information from: Texarkana Gazette, http://www.texarkanagazette.com/ [Associated Press] Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.