Bunker boy, 14, dies trying to cross flooded creek

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The latest round of flooding in Missouri is being blamed for the death of a 14-year-old southern Missouri boy.

The Missouri State Water Patrol says Kenneth Davidson of Bunker died Thursday while trying to cross the Mill Creek arm of Loggers Lake in Shannon County. The patrol says the boy was holding onto a metal cable while crossing the normally shallow creek, but the higher than normal currents caused him to lose his footing.

Kenneth was swept away by the rushing water. Emergency crews found his body tangled in roots about a mile downstream.

Several parts of southern Missouri got up to 4 inches of rain Wednesday and Thursday. Moderate flooding is projected along parts of the Mississippi and Meramec rivers over the next few days.