Prince George's Dive Team Involved In Baltimore Bridge Rescue Efforts Honored

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — The dive team from Prince George's County that helped with the rescue efforts following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has been honored by county leaders and the police department.

"You got a call, and you immediately went to a location where you knew it was going to be dangerous," said PGPD Chief Malik Aziz at a special presentation.

The divers with the Special Operations Division’s Marine Unit & Underwater Recovery Teamcouldn't be interviewed due to the ongoing investigation, noted FOX5. But a department spokesperson said the divers had shared how they could hear the unstable ship and bridge moving and creaking around them while underwater.

"Our boats looked like tiny little dots in the water right alongside that ship. So once you get close and realize the magnitude of what you have there, um, that’s when we realized this was an extreme catastrophe, serious incident," said PGPD Marine Unit Commander, Lt. Charles E. Perry.

Perry also says the divers faced water so murky, they could hardly see in front of them, FOX5 shared.

"We’re all pretty humbled," said Lt. Perry of receiving the honors, "I can say it’s what we do, it’s what we trained for, we had it happen here in Prince George’s County on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, like I stated earlier, so we know it’s not impossible. If it happens, we’re going to be there."
US Coast Guard delivers updates from Baltimore Key Bridge

The PGPD SOD Marine Unit members honored are:

Lt. Charles E. Perry
Sgt. Scott A. Hamilton,
Sgt. Nicholas T. Fiore
Sgt. Jonathan E. Eyler
Cpl. Ryan A. Minnich
Cpl. Jeremy W. Bourget
Cpl. Matthew P. Waisempacher
Cpl Jeramie L. Jordan
Cpl. Delvon N. Montue
Cpl. John J. Clayton
Cpl Robert. E. Lee
Cpl. John A. Bonaccorsy

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