At 4:20 p.m. Friday afternoon the Savona Volunteer Fire
Department was dispatched for four people that needed to be rescued on the
Cohocton River in the Town of Bath near the Scudder Road. Upon arrival they
found two males and two females trapped on an island in the middle of the
river. Savona then requested the Swift Water Rescue Team from Bath.
The four
started farther up the river where the water was calm on an air mattress and did
not know the condition of the water downstream. When they hit this shallower
area the water was moving much faster, then there was a bend which pulled them
to the far side, and then into the tree across a portion of the river making
what is called a strainer, which is what the four people got caught in and
luckily were able to climb out of it and get on the island. Strainers are very
dangerous, and the water will rush under them and pull victims of them under
water.
The water rescue team surveyed the situation to see what the
best method would be, and which area of the river was best to bring them
across. The water was two to three feet deep in this area but with a fast
current. Bath then called for water technicians from North and South Corning,
who are part of The Steuben Regional Technical Rescue Teams, Swift Water Rescue
with Bath. They were requested for backup in case more help would be needed.
Bath technicians decided to move just upstream from where the four got in
trouble and stretched a rope across the river. Life jackets were then sent over
for the four to put on, and then one at a time were brought to safety of the
shore. 
They were all then escorted through the brush an taken to an awaiting
Bath Volunteer Ambulance to be checked over. Fortunately, none of them had any
serious injuries and did not need to be transported to a medical facility.
Great teamwork by all the departments and Bath Ambulance
made for a successful outcome for what could very easily have been tragic. The
four that were rescued ask for each of the technicians to come to the ambulance
to thank them personally and said they all learned a big lesson on river
safety. One should always use approved watercraft, survey the river before you
launch, wear a life vest and dress appropriately. Also let someone know where
you are going.
All units were back in service at 7:58 pm.
Photos courtesy of Blake Jackson
Respectfully submitted,
John Conrad Sr.
Public Information Officer
The Bath Volunteer Fire Dept.
