At 0720hrs on Sunday March 14, 2010 Schuylkill Valley EMS was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident unknown injuries. As medic 6704 and ambulance 6703 responded to the scene the Berks County Communication Center advised one vehicle in the river at the bridge unknown if occupied called in by a bystander. EMS units were first to arrive on location finding the vehicle to be pinned against the center of the bridge on the north side. The vehicle engine compartment was under water the trunk was out of the water. It was still unclear if anyone was in the vehicle. Shoemakersville Fire Department was requested for their water rescue and V and M Towing Was requested for their boom wrecker. Leesport Fire Department and Temple Fire Department were enroute to the scene. As V and M Towing arrived the Wall Street bridge in Leesport Borough was shut down as the large wrecker was placed in the center of the bridge. The swift moving water would of made it a challenge to get to the vehicle with the boats so it was decided to use the V and M wrecker to lower Rusty Wagner of Shoemakersville Fire down over the side of the bridge onto the vehicle to break the rear window and search the vehicle for victims. The cooperation between the V and M Towing crew and the emergency personnel ensured the safety of the volunteer firefighter that went down to check the vehicle that was deemed unoccupied. When the search of the vehicle was complete two large chains were attached to the vehicles C posts. The firefighter was then returned to the bridge safely. Next the car was raised to the bridge by the large wrecker and a secondary search of the vehicle was done. Overall the cooperation of all crews involved allowed the incident to be completed without any issues.
Units:
Medic 6704, Medic 6703, Company 37, Company 40, Company 11, V and M Towing, Northern Berks Police Department
Firefighter lowered off bridge by Tow Truck to check for victims in a car in the Schuylkill River
