At 2:29 on October 11th, 2021, the Wilmington Fire Department was dispatched for a reported subject in the water in the area of Walnut Street Bridge and Rosa Parks Drive, according to Public Information Officer Public Information Officer Captain Matthew Marsella.
Marsella said Engine 6 officer spoke with a person on scene who witnessed a male subject enter the water and did not see him emerge. Battalion Chief Kirlin (District 2) assumed Incident Command and requested additional units from New Castle County Dive and Water Rescue units.
During the two-hour search, dive units found no signs of the individual and no signs from sonar or thermal imaging from fireboats and unmanned aerial systems. Command terminated the search and placed the situation under control labeling the search as unfounded.
During the incident over 40 individuals assisted in the search including members from: City Units: Wilmington Fire – Fireboat 7, Marine 7, Engine 6, Ladder 2, Squad 4, Battalion Chief 1, Battalion Chief 2, UAV 3, Wilmington Police, St. Francis EMS, New Castle County Paramedics. State and County Units: Delaware State Police, County Dive Team, County Fire Companies: 23, 18, 18, 20, 29, 26.