getting stuck in soft sucking mud in waders is scary stuff. he could have cut himself out possibly with a neck knife. one reason I always wear one while wading, or a strong current can get ya.
in a fast/strong current, (and it doesn't have to be deep at all) even in hip waders if you get knocked over or slip/fall they can fill up with water and drag you under. you need to be ready to get out of them fast at all times. not as big an issue (if at all) with tight fitting neoprene waders (no room for water). steelhead fishing the Pulaski river in upstate N.Y. they would open the flood gates at the dam every now and then and even at little over ankle deep the current would almost knock you down. and as for soft sucking mud, which is what I assume happened to this kid even knee boots can be easy to get stuck in. I'm sure more than a few of us have lost a shoe/boot to this kind of mud.
