Wilmington – This morning at 7:43 hours, Wilmington Fire Department Units were dispatched to the Brandywine River in the area of the for a report of a juvenile sitting on the rocks below. Upon arrival of fire department units a 14-year-old male subject was seen sitting inside a drainage tube of the retaining wall adjacent to the Wilmington pumping station. A 911 call was received indicating that the juvenile jumped from the Market Street Bridge and was seen swimming to the adjacent drainage tube where he took refuge.
Wilmington Fire Department crews trained in high angle rescue and water rescue were deployed. A single rescuer was lowered to the victim below where he assessed the patient for injuries. The patient was verbal and had no injuries, the victim also showed no signs of hypothermia due to the temperature.
The patient was wrapped in blankets until he could be packaged for extrication from the drainage tube. The 14-year-old male was hoisted to waiting EMS workers above, where he was assessed and transported to AI Du Pont Hospital for Children.
After 55 minutes the scene was placed under control by incident commander Battalion Chief Timothy Perkins. N Market Street Bridge is now reopened.
Approximately 20 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire. The following units responded: Engine 1, Squad Engine 4, Ladder 1, Battalion 1, Deputy 2, Deputy 3, Marine 8, and Ambulance PA1, New castle County Medics, and Wilmington Police.