ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, Mo. — A Valley Park, Missouri, woman drowned after trying to help another person in the water on Sunday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 40-year-old Melissa Hill entered the Big River upstream of St. Francois State Park around 2:15 p.m. to help another person in the water.
Sugarfire in Valley Park was hosting a fundraiser to honor Hill. The barbecue restaurant was donating all of the proceeds to her sons' college funds from sales on a menu item on August 11, Melissa's birthday.
MSHP said Hill became unconscious in the water. Bystanders recovered her and began life-saving measures.
She was pronounced dead shortly before 3:15 p.m.
No other physical injuries were reported.
