NATCHEZ — A Natchez man made a narrow escape this morning when his truck went into the river.

David Jenkins was getting ready to go kayaking this morning near the Silver Street boat launch.

After unloading his equipment, Jenkins said he got into his pickup truck to park. Jenkins said his foot slipped on the brake and his truck went backwards into the river.

Jenkins couldn’t get the door open, but said the windows were open. He said he managed to escape through a window, unharmed, and swim back to shore.

Afterward, the Natchez Police Department assisted in taking a report. Natchez Police Department Detective Jerry Ford said the truck was already gone.

“They weren’t able to save it,” Ford said.

While this is not a common occurrence, Ford said it does happen on occasion.

“Every now and then we get a report of somebody that ends up losing his truck in the river,” Ford said.

Ford said people need to be careful when they use the Silver Street boat ramp and when backing up.

Jenkins’s method of leaving the car by the window is the one recommended by experts on how to leave a vehicle being swept away by the river. Even if the windows are closed, try to open them and escape.