Man found alive near River Des Peres after he was caught in flash floods

ST. LOUIS — A 53-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition Thursday morning after he was found on the ground next to the River Des Peres drainage canal near St. Louis' border with Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury Fire Chief Chris Amenn said the man, who lives in Brentwood and had been missing since Tuesday morning, is believed to have been pulled into Deer Creek during flash flooding while he was walking near Manchester Road. The creek connects with the River Des Peres.

Amenn said the man appeared to have been affected by exposure and hypothermia and was very cold and very pale.

Brentwood police identified him as Larry "Rob" Hanselman, who was last seen about 11 a.m. Tuesday near the 8700 block of Manchester.

Amenn said authorities were alerted by someone walking a dog about 8:30 a.m. near Lindenwood Avenue and the east side of the River Des Peres who spotted someone on the ground on the west side of the canal.

Amenn said after treating the man at the scene, firefighters carried him across the canal through about three feet of water. An all-terrain vehicle was used to take the victim about a quarter-mile north to where the elevation wasn't as steep, he said.

Amenn said the Maplewood and St. Louis fire departments assisted Shrewsbury firefighters.

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