SULLIVAN COUNTY – Emergency response crews were kept busy this weekend with multiple calls for weather-related incidents and suspected drownings on the Delaware River. 

According to the Yulan Fire Department, on July 3 the National Park Service requested the drone team to the area of the Old Carriage House for a child tuber that did not get off the river. 

Upon setting up command Chief Tim Schadt requested boats from Narrowsburg Fire Department, Lackawaxen Fire Department, Lumberland Fire Department and the Battalion 8 team in Orange County. 

About 15 minutes after command was set up the child returned to the campground in good health. All mutual aid was cancelled at this time. 

Just as the drone call was wrapping up, Yulan was then dispatched to a rescue call at Kittatinny Campground for a tree that struck a victim at a campground due to the severe storms that were blowing through the area. 

The victim was treated by Highland Ambulance and County ALS and was transported to a hospital. While still operating at the rescue call, Yulan was once again dispatched, this time to tree and wires down in York Lake. 

While responding to this call, Yulan units came upon several other trees and wires down in the York Lake area due to the severe storms. Units expedited NYSEG to the scene as a portion of York Lake Estates was totally inaccessible due to trees and wires down. 

Units turned the scene over to NYSEG and cleared York Lake. Yulan was then again dispatched this time to Camp Tel Yehudah for wires burning near a bungalow. Units operated on scene with camp staff until NYSEG got there. 

“We would like to thank all our mutual aid partners as always and please be safe and enjoy your 4th of July,” the Yulan Fire Department posted on its Facebook page.

On July 4, the Battalion 8 Water Rescue Team responded to five river rescue calls in the Port Jervis area. All calls were cleared and all missing parties were located. 

According to Matamoras Fire Department Station 32, on July 4 the Matamoras and Westfall Dive Teams were dispatched to a report of two people in the Delaware River without life jackets. Moments later, the City of Port Jervis Fire Department and Orange County resources were also requested under mutual aid.

While en route, Pike County Communications updated responding units that one person was now missing in the river.

Matamoras and Westfall rescue boats were launched within minutes, joined by rescue boats from Port Jervis and Sparrowbush. As crews searched the river, the Matamoras boat made contact with the missing person’s friends, who reported that he had gone under the water and they feared the worst.

The search immediately shifted to a possible water rescue/recovery.

Moments later, responders were notified that the missing individual had been located approximately one mile downstream after being pulled from the river by others.

“As crews brought the friends back to shore, the rescued individual was transported to the command post at the #2 Bridge Beach. The emotional reunion that followed was one that will not soon be forgotten. Believing they had lost their friend, they broke down in tears, hugging him in overwhelming relief. It was a powerful reminder of how quickly the Delaware River can change lives in a matter of seconds,” the Matamoras Fire Department posted on its Facebook page.

They added, “Please, if you are enjoying the Delaware River this summer, wear a properly fitted life jacket. The current is stronger than it appears, conditions can change instantly, and even experienced swimmers can find themselves in trouble.”