Unconscious Man Rescued From River: Orange FD

ORANGE, CT — An unconscious man was rescued after he fell into the Housatonic River Sunday.

The man was using a rope swing in a remote area and swung into the river, but struck rocks when he landed. He sustained leg and head injuries and was knocked unconscious, said Orange Fire Chief Vaughn Dumas.

Civilians moved him to shore and called 911 around 2:30 p.m. Firefighters from Orange and Shelton departments used a special stretcher called a Stokes basket to transport him about a quarter mile to waiting EMS crews.

“This is a great example of how area departments work together to take care of our neighbors,” Dumas said. “It also shows the dedication of local firefighters and EMS personnel.”

Dumas urged people to stay away from the area, which has been popular with youth for parties.

“Every kid likes to have a place out of the watchful eye of parents to enjoy themselves,” he said. “The people who walk down the railroad tracks to these areas by the river are actually putting themselves in grave danger. We’ve had fires there and others hurt and it’s difficult to get there to help.”