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Rescue Box 728 – Deer Creek |
| By Captain Dave Pullen | |
| July 23, 2010 | |
| Company 7 was alerted at 2142 hours for an ambulance with 4-wheel drive assist to aid subjects who were tubing in Deer Creek. Within minutes, Jarrettsville Volunteers and the Harford County Technical Rescue Team were alerted to respond as a rescue assignment, and then as a search detail to locate six missing individuals tubing in Deer Creek. Dispatch had received a 911 call from the cell phone of one of those lost. The nearest cell tower to their location placed them near Creek View Court near Cherry Hill Road. Command was then set up at a staging area near the entrance to the 4-H Camp on Cherry Hill Road. While some units proceeded down Route 24 searching along the Deer Creek, other units followed the opposite side of the creek on the Crowl Dairy Farm. Trooper 1 was requested for use of their FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) camera but had to return after developing mechanical problems. After an hour of searching, one of the individuals was found unhurt, but exhausted. He advised that two other adults and three children were further downstream. To compound things, one of the adults was 8 months pregnant and starting to have contractions. Units then moved back to Creek View Court and proceeded behind the houses in the direction of the creek. The search led rescuers through thick woods following the stream. Many members experienced falls in the woods while trying to negotiate the rough terrain. Approximately 20 minutes later, the remaining 5 individuals were located. Now, a way out had to be found. Rescuers evaluated the patient's medical condition while others proceeded upstream on the bank and found a trail leading back to the Crowl farm. This was only about 50 yards from where the first missing person was found. To use this trail, units would need to go back the farm lane, through a fence, down through the pasture, and then through the woods 100 feet. Fortunately, a trail branched off up the hill. While very steep, it led to the backyard of one of the houses mid-way down Creek View Court. Units relocated as the Gator from Whiteford VFC made its way to the victims. Patients were then brought up an embankment from the stream and driven out on the Gator to awaiting ambulances. The remaining rescuers made their way out to the road and took a break after 2 hours of searching. The success of this call would not have been possible if not for the assistance of Melvin Good who works on the Crowl Dairy farm. His knowledge of where the Deer Creek goes through the farm was instrumental in completing a successful search. This is the second emergency call this summer for people tubing in the Deer Creek. It is important that precautions are taken as the Deer Creek has areas which are scenic and calm and other areas which are deadly. Before going out, make sure you give your itinerary to someone not involved with your trip. This itinerary should include, but is not limited to the following:
Summer days can reach 100 degrees which can possibly lead to heat stroke if you are not properly hydrated. Once the sun goes down the temperature will fall and the possibility of hyperthermia can set it, especially if you are wet and have limited clothing. Additionally, children tubing in the park are required to wear life jackets. As a reminder, the Rocks State Park is open from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. Follow this link to read more: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/rocks.asp If you often venture into remote areas with limited cell phone coverage, there are devices that can relay your position to someone at home. These devices have the ability to let someone know that you are ok, you are in need of assistance, or SOS, which will immediately send your GPS coordinates to the GEOS International Emergency Response Center which alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide. |
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