Around 5:50 PM this past Sunday, our Marine 12 was dispatched with the Verplanck and Montrose VA Fire Departments, Verplanck FD EMS, Cortlandt Paramedics and Westchester County Police to a boat accident with injuries in the Hudson River near Verplanck. The initial report stated one person was in the water and unconscious, some 200 yards out from the Viking Marina.

Minutes later, M12 - with a crew of four certified Water Rescue Technicians - was on the way, with Lead Pilot / Firefighter Pat Smith at the helm. Upon our arrival, the crew found a small boat that collided with an old, stationary barge. Fortunately nobody was thrown from the boat and in the water itself. One subject, however, had serious injuries and was trapped in the boat's pilot house. He had to be extricated using a cordless reciprocating saw by WCPD Officers and Verplanck FD members.

Our crew provided assistance relaying equipment from shore to the vessel, and helped maintain a safe perimeter while VFD, VAFD & WCPD personnel performed the rescue and packaged the patient. The aided was then loaded on to WCPD Marine 2 and taken to the "Community Dock" in Verplanck to an awaiting Ambulance, where he was taken to Westchester Medical Center. According to several news outlets, the subject involved has been charged with "Boating While Intoxicated" charges by the WCPD.

Car 2081, Car 2083 and several other CFD members remained at Croton Yacht Club, ready to help if needed. Marine 12 returned to it's dock at the Croton Yacht club around 7:00 PM.

Thanks to Kempter's Fire Wire for the photos.