Owensboro firefighters and other local responders used a coordinated rope rescue to save a person in distress at the cascading water feature at Smothers Park early Wednesday morning, officials say.
According to the Owensboro Fire Department, crews from Station 1 were dispatched at 4:15 a.m. after reports of a person in distress inside the park’s water feature. At the time of the call, it was unclear whether the individual could be accessed from below by boat or if a technical rescue from above would be required.
Personnel from Engine 1’s second crew, Rescue 1, and Command 95 arrived on scene, assessed the situation, and executed a low-angle rope rescue. Firefighters secured the individual in a Stokes basket and used a rope system, along with a roof ladder positioned as a ramp, to hoist the person over the upper edge of the structure, according to OFD.
The rescue was carried out alongside the Owensboro Police Department, and the individual was turned over to AMR personnel, who were standing by to provide medical treatment and transport.
Fire officials credited the successful outcome to effective communication from Central Dispatch and seamless collaboration among responding agencies, noting the rescue required specialized techniques due to the park’s unique terrain.
