Cliff Rescue Triggers Multi-Agency Response

South Burlington Fire Department

575 Dorset St.

South Burlington, VT  05403

846-4134

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27, 2014

At 13:40 hrs., South Burlington fire Department received a 911 call from an unidentified male requesting help for a friend who had fallen off a cliff while walking along the Winooski River behind Berard Dr.  Firefighters from South Burlington Fire and VTANG were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, Firefighters went on to the railroad bridge to be better visualize the areas along the river’s North and South banks.  Firefighters were able to make contact with two males on the north side of the river.  They stated that they had called for help, as one of the pair had slipped and fallen approximately 30 feet into the river, and sustained numerous injuries.  The uninjured male had climbed down to his injured friend and pulled him out of the river on to a small ledge.

As the patient was actually situated close to the Colchester/Winooski town line, both agencies were notified of the rescue. Colchester Technical Rescue was contacted to provide water rescue over watch for the patient and rescuers.

 Members of South Burlington Fire Department (SBFD) and Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) Fire/Rescue Special Operations teams set up redundant high angle rescue systems that allowed several South Burlington firefighters to repel down to the patient.  There they found a 22 y.o. male, who had sustained multiple injuries from his fall, but was conscious and oriented.

The condition of the cliff’s friable rock face and the small ledge at water’s edge were very precarious.  Firefighters determined that the safest evacuation route for the patient would be over water. Colchester Technical Rescue’s Zodiac inflatable boat retrieved and transported the patient to the Berard Drive GMP boat access. The patient was transported to Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) by Burlington Rescue-1.

Saint Michael’s Fire/Rescue and Colchester Rescue provided logistical support at the scene, and Williston Fire Department covered all other emergencies in the City while rescue operations were on going.  The incident was completed at 15:51 hrs.

 In all, 25 firefighters from six agencies work together, seamlessly to successfully complete this rescue. 

Agencies involved:  South Burlington Fire Department, Vermont Air National Guard Fire/Rescue, Burlington Fire Department, Colchester Technical Rescue, Colchester Rescue, and St. Michael’s Fire/Rescue.

  For further Information contact: Deputy Chief Terence Francis   802-363-4656           

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