On Monday, the Winamac Volunteer Fire Department shared details regarding an incident they responded to on July 12th.
The announcement states that around 7:46pm Eastern Time on Sunday, July 12th, the Winamac Volunteer Fire Department was called to a stranded/stuck boat on the river. The report indicated that there were 2 occupants on the boat, one of which whom had limited mobility.
Upon arrival, a crew member went to the nearest access site to launch a boat, while a second crew sent out the department’s drone.
Within 2 minutes of sending the drone up, the stranded boat with both occupants was located. Using the location information and the drone overhead as a guide to navigate through a field, brush, and wooded area, department crews were able to make contact with the boaters.
A conservation officer who was also involved in rescue efforts went into the water to free the boat and maneuver it to the nearest viable river bank.
The boat’s occupants were assisted off the boat and were picked up by family and/or friends. The Winamac Volunteer Fire Department’s crews assisted in taking the occupant’s boat back to an access point to be picked up.
Agencies who responded included Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, and Winamac Fire Department.
