05/10/2026
On Thursday, May 7th, at 10:53pm units from the Bainbridge Fire Company were dispatched to assist Londonderry Fire Company (Dauphin station 54) with a stranded boat on the Susquehanna River. Utility 71-1 and marine 71-2 responded to the Falmouth boat access and deployed to assist in the search for the vessel. Marine 71-2 began traveling north on the river, battling swift currents and rapids, located the 3 subjects stuck between the York Haven dam and a large cluster of rocks. While Middletown Fire boat 88 effected the rescue of the 3 subjects, marine 71-2 stood by to assist with taking them back to shore. While beginning to turn around to head back to shore, marine 71-2 became stuck on a large rock. Boat 88 attempted to assist marine 71-2 but was unable due to the current and water conditions. At that point, the rescue effort to assist marine 71-2 and the 3 rescuers on board began. Multiple boats made attempts to battle the river and make it to marine 71-2 but were unsuccessful in their attempts. Aviation was requested from the Pennsylvania State Police, Maryland State Police, Delaware State Police, Pennsylvania National Guard Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (PA-HART), and the U.S. Coast Guard. Middletown Fire marine 88 made one last attempt and successfully reached marine 71-2 and assisted them off the rocks and back to shore. All 3 members from marine 71-2 returned to shore uninjured. Companies that assisted include Middletown Volunteer Fire Department Station 88, Londonderry Fire Company Station 54, Harrisburg International Airport Fire Rescue Station 70, Maytown East-Donegal Fire Department station 79, Pioneer Fire Company No.1 Marietta Pa Station 10, Columbia Brough Fire Department Station 80, Blue Rock Fire Rescue Station 903 (Highville), Municipal Emergency Services Authority (MESA), Eagle Fire Co #1 Station 22 (Mount Wolf), York Haven Fire Company Station 27, Newberry Township Fire Department Station 31, and Dover Township Fire Department Station 9. We would like to thank these departments for their assistance in a positive outcome.