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Call of the Quarter
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Call of the Quarter
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On May 23,2001, the Glasgow Life Saving and First Aid Crew responded to a call off
Rt. 501, Balcony Downs, for a kayaker that had overturned and was stranded on a rock in the middle of the
James River. The James River makes it way through the mountains in Glasgow.
Upon arrival by Rescue 34, it was learned that
two friends, not from this area, had been kayaking
when one of them, who was not experienced enough for such difficult waters, had overturned and lost his
oar. The other kayaker , had managed to get to his friend and guided him to a large rock located in the
middle of the river. Torrential rains the preceding days made the river swollen and muddy. The river this day was at
flood stage and out of it's bank in numerous locations. Large trees and debris were still floating down
stream. Some had gathered between rocks causing more dangerous vortices. The river is filled with huge
boulders that are usually sitting out of the water, but they were covered and unable to be seen because of
the muddy water now covering them. The river was about 120 yards wide.
Unit 31, Glasgow's dive team truck, arrived minutes later with their Zodiac water craft and Jet Ski.
Dive Team Leader, Danny Smith and Captain Lisa Rogers assessed the area and water.
The victim was not accessible from the opposite side because of the steep terrain and drop offs.
The only access from the road was by a private drive down to the railroad tracks of Northern Southern.
Vehicle access was possible along the tracks for about a mile, the remainder was by foot for another mile.
The tracks were built along the river with a drop of about 20ft down over sharp jagged rocks to the river.
Because of the emergency personnel on the tracks, the railroad was contacted and asked to hold
train traffic until the tracks could be cleared.
The Glasgow Fire Department was on location to assist. Bob Weikel, Special Enforcement Officer
for Rockbridge County , was assisting by making phone calls for mutual aid from rescue teams located
below the victim. The Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries, Amherst County, Bedford and Big Island rescue
responded for assistance. They secured safety lines across the river and the Virginia Dept of Game,
equipped with their Jet powered Zodiac, tried to reach the victim by coming upstream.
Large trees, debris and unseen rocks coupled with the raging current made this impossible and their Zodiac had to go back.
Bob Weikel was asked to call to see if air rescue was available. Life-Guard 10 out of Roanoke
was contacted but would not be able to assist because they did not have the necessary equipment to
attempt a river rescue. The same was true for Pegasus out of Charlottesville. Another call was made to the
Virginia State Police, however, their helicopter was down for maintenance. A call was made to Naval Air
Station, Oceana, to determine if they could assist with the rescue. They would check their availability and
call back. If they could respond the trip would take about 1-½ hours after take off.
It was getting late in the evening and darkness would soon be upon us. That would make the
rescue by water impossible. We made a decision to try a water rescue using our Zodiac and the Jet Ski as
a lifeline. We were not able to find a suitable location to launch our boats from the scene. It was determined
to go several miles above the victim and work our way downstream.
The Jet Ski was operated by CT .Danny Smith (dive team leader) which served as a lifeline for the
Zodiac which was operated by ST's, Lisa Rogers and John Ellington. They would cross the river and work their way down the other side, keeping away from the main
current as much as possible. About half way to the victim trouble arose. We came upon a
bend that was partly blocked with rocks, trees and debris, with a drop of about 6.7 ft that could not be seen until the water crafts were on top
of it. Danny was guiding the Zodiac with the Jet Ski. The current was so strong we could not get turned
around. Danny went over with the Jet Ski. Quickly Lisa and John turned the Zodiac towards the bank and
managed to get the anchor tied off on a small tree and debris. Their attention then turned to Danny, the Jet
Ski was upside down and he was trying to hang onto it. He was being thrown into rocks and the waves
were pushing his head under. Everyone on the water crafts were wearing life vest and helmets. We
immediately called down stream for help to get Danny out of the water. As Danny, still hanging onto the
Jet Ski, approached the kayaker on the rock. He tried to help him onto the rock, but the force of the water
only pulled him away, he let the Jet Ski go. He kept trying to work his was to the shore but the rivers
current was pushing him downstream. Danny was finally able to grab onto a small tree.
The current was so strong it continued to pull him down. He kept fighting and gathering enough strength to pull himself up
onto the tree, and out of the water.
Meanwhile, the Zodiac was still in trouble, it had to be maneuvered from tree to tree and around
large amounts of debris and rocks in order to finally get the it turned around and started back upstream,
crossing back across the river and tying off on the embankment below the tracks.
We were then informed the Naval Air Station, Oceana, had confirmed that they would be able to
assist with the rescue and a SH-3 Seahawk was scrambled and en route to the scene.
The flight from Norfolk took a little over one and a half hours and once on the scene,
GPS coordinates were given and the crew located the stranded kayaker. The winch operator aboard the helicopter lowered a
rescue diver to the site. The rescue diver then secured the kayaker into a rescue harness.
Both the rescue diver and the kayaker were rescued and placed aboard the helicopter. They then proceeded to the landing
zone at the Glasgow Carnival Grounds. Once the crew made the landing, they were advised that Danny
Smith was still in the river and in need of rescuing as well. The victim was turned over to the EMT's at the
scene.
The helicopter crew made ready for another rescue. They flew to where Danny was, and once
again prepared to make a rescue. The winch operator lowered the rescue diver to secure Danny to the
harness. The rescue diver had to be lowered into the water next to the tree and work his way to Danny.
The tree was only large enough for one person to stand on. Danny was finally secured. The winch operator
raised both the rescue diver and Danny onboard the helicopter. A sigh of relief was heard from his fellow
crew members on the call, they could only watch from the banks.
Both victims were cold and wet, but with the help from the Navy helicopter, they were okay.
It had gotten dusky dark and all the equipment and personnel had been loaded up for the trip home.
The Jet Ski was recovered the next day with minor damage. Members from the mutual aid teams met with Glasgow members to
critique the call. Radio traffic problems were discussed and are currently being worked on.
Everyone involved worked very well together and group training exercises are now being
scheduled. You answer calls everyday and are taught that rescue personals safety, your safety, is your
number one
priority. So when a fellow squad members life is in trouble and you can't just reach out and help them,
your very thankful for the other rescue workers that are there, willing and available to assist you.
We thank you!
-- Written By: Lisa Rogers
