Success Stories: Dramatic Rescue on the Colorado River

Objective: Build a Nimble, Effective Emergency Response System and a Culture of Preparedness

Situation		Action
Bay City, TX: A fishing boat travels too close to a 20 foot dam on the Colorado River Four boaters careen off the dam, including 2 boys, ages five (5) and seven (7) Boat is swept away and is submerged in whitewater-speed rapids of waterfall after going over the dam		Apr 6, 2007: DHS responds to call for assistance, and Coast Guard springs into action Helicopter sent to aid Matagorda County sheriff Rescue swimmers & crew of helicopter work feverishly to keep cable from swaying into dam and power lines
Result
Coast Guard helicopter and crew rescue the two boys first before going back for the two men One boy is air lifted to the hospital, other three are taken by ambulance, cared for and released The four boaters are now safe at home after being treated for hypothermia and abrasions
		NEXT      Case# 0000009 04/16/2007

This page was last modified on September 11, 2007