Gwyneth Shaw Photo
The firefighters union distributed the following update Friday on Thursday’s dramatic rescue operation at East Rock Park, in which three members of the department suffered injuries:
Firefighters Risk All to Save Hiker
A panicked hiker was close to letting go from the rock face. She was on the phone with 911. Firefighters started a high angle rescue from above; however her position on the rock made it so firefighters could not see her from the top.
Lt. Jay Schwartz climbed from the bottom up to recon her position. When they could see her, she was only hanging on by her thumbs.
Circumstances dictated action. The lieutenant and his crew risked a lot to save a lot. Unfortunately the shale that they were climbing on gave way. Lt. Schwartz fell 60 feet on an incline, resulting in a significant compound dislocation of his ankle. He is doing well.
One other firefighter is being rushed back to the ER now! He was released last night. He was hit by falling rocks during the rescue and is now having complications.
The other firefighter who was able to make the rescue from above was in the harness for an extended amount of time. He was evaluated and released.
Firefighter John Cretella relied on his training and strength to hold on to the hiker with a small webbing strap and his arms. [He used an improvised harness; the hiker jumped to him.] Firefighter Cretella and other firefighters were able to remove her from harm’s way.
While you only see rescuers on the rope and on the bottom, other firefighters are rigging the rope systems from above. All of the firefighters on scene made this rescue possible at great personal risk.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.
Read the Independent’s account the incident and readers’ discussion about liability here.
This is an incredible story and a reminder that firefighters put themselves in harm's way every day.