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Wagontown responds on Water Rescue
6/9/09
Mid afternoon
on June 9th, 2009 at 1:42 PM Fame Fire
Company of West Chester was dispatched
to Brandywine Picnic Park for a water
rescue. As the situation unfolded
Chester County 911 was getting reports
from the caller that two kayakers were
trapped in a dam in the river. The
caller reported two men appearing to
be in their 20's were observed
traveling down the Brandywine River
when they capsized their crafts after
going over the dam. The frequently
traveled area of the river was greatly
impacted by a storm that recently
passed through the area causing rapid
moving and elevated water levels. The
caller reported that the males were
stuck in the hydraulics of the dam and
despite quick attempts by park staff,
they were unable to reach them and the
men continued to be sucked under the
water. Longwood and Kennett Fire
Companies were dispatched shortly
after for their boats and crews to
assist Fame with the rescue.
Responders were able to
retrieve one of the kayakers from the
water and he was transported by
Emergency Medical Services to Chester
County Hospital. Despite quick and
efficient efforts by rescuers,
providers, and the hospital,
resuscitation efforts were stopped as
there was nothing more that could be
done.
Rescuers continued the diligent
search for the other kayakers in the
dam and along the river and shorelines
throughout the afternoon. The severe
weather in the area including
lightning and tornado warnings caused
a challenge for providers.
Wagontown Fire Companies Boat Crew was
dispatched at 2:30 pm to assist with
the rescue / recovery operations
unfolding to locate the missing
kayaker from the Brandywine. The crew
of six responded in the Squad with the
Boat in tow, once on scene the crew
was set up to work with the other boat
crews and provide the Rapid
Intervention team in case one of the
other boat crews had an issue.
Throughout the day and well into the
night the boat crews rotating through
the RIT function and searching the
Brandywine for the missing person.
Dive Rescue 77 arrived and conducted
dive operations at the face of the dam
in attempts to locate the missing
subject. The boat crew remained on
scene until about 10 pm when command
released the units.
The
Wagontown Fire Company extends its
deepest sympathy to the family of the
two victims of this tragic accident.
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Units: |
Boat 35, Squad 35 |
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Mutual Aid: |
Fame, Longwood, Kennett, Medic
91, Good Fellowship EMS,
West Chester PD, Birmingham PD,
PSP, CC Medical
Examiner,
CCDES Comm-1 & IST trailer
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