Norristown Firefighters Leapt Into Icy Creek In Attempt To Save Woman

NORRISTOWN, PA — The 2023 winter was warmer than most, but few locals were thinking of taking a dive in the still-frigid waters of Stony Creek.

But that's just what three Norristown firefighters, Andrew McIntyre, Charles Scott, and Kevin Murphy did one cold January night. The heroic trio were recognized with special citations during Tuesday night's municipal council meeting for that winter call, which ended tragically but which showed the best in local first responders.

"Their collective effort is in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire service and reflects great credit upon themselvs and the Norristown Fire Department," Council President Thomas Lepera and Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell said.

It was around 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 9 when the fire department was called for a water rescue to Crawford Park at Water Street. A woman was in the water and screaming for help, the municipality said.

When firefighters arrived, police directed them down to a deep part of the creek, some 70 feet away down a near-vertical, 12-foot embankment.

The trio, "without consideration of their own needs," as Lepera and O'Donnell put it, leapt into action. They swiftly descended down the dark embankment and dove into the water.

The temperature in the water was 47 degrees.

The air outside was 38 degrees.

The three were able to retrieve the woman, bring her back to the embankment, and pull her up out of the water with the help of other firefighters. They attempted CPR, but were not able to revive her.

The recognition awarded to McIntyre, Scott, and Murphy is the fire department's Unit Citation, among the highest commendations granted to public servants in the region.