Water Rescue Turns To Drowning In The Wicomico River

On Friday afternoon at 1409 hours, Companies 5, 59, and Charles 6 were alerted to a water rescue in the Wicomico River off Bay Drive in Mill Point Shores. Reports were of three subjects in the water. Boat 5 responded on the call with Chief 5 and Chief 5B and launched from Bushwood Wharf. Additional information was given while responding that two subjects were out of the water with an 11 year old still missing.

At that time, an additional Squad, Trooper 7 and Charles County Dive team were all requested to respond to the incident. Boat 5 arrived on scene at 1426 hours and began a search. A firefighter from both Boat 5 and Squad 2 dressed in water rescue suits and entered the water to conducted a search of the area. Personnel covered as much area possible until several storms forced them out of the water. Boat 5 and Charles Boat 6 continued with a surface search during those times. Squad 2 gathered witness details for the boat crews and then established the command.

Once storms cleared the area, firefighters again entered the river. Both Trooper 7 and Coast Guard Helicopters were also able to join in the search at that time. Together with Boat 5 and Charles Boat 6, crews from Charles Dive Team 13, DNR, and Coast Guard all searched for several hours into the evening. The crews utilized side scan sonar, along with diver's with no success. Personnel worked for approximately 6 hours before calling the search off for the evening. On both Saturday and Sunday volunteers returned to the scene and continued the search. Sunday afternoon the victim was located.

See the official press release from the Sheriff's Office here. http://firstsheriff.blogspot.com/2014/06/update-6-15-14-missing-swimmer-found.html

We would like to thank all of the crews from the multiple agencies that assisted in the search over the 3 day span. The officer's and members of the department extend our deepest condolences to the family and the entire community affected.