MFD Crews, Special Teams Rescue Man From Sinking Vehicle
43.0909283, -89.3335138
Incident Details
A driver is uninjured after being rescued from his vehicle at a local boat launch.
The Madison Fire Department, its Lake Rescue Team, and Heavy Urban Rescue Team responded to 3402 Atwood Avenue, the Olbrich Park Boat Launch, for a man trapped in his vehicle with water up to his chest. He was able to stay in place until help arrived by keeping his foot on the brake.
Engine 5 and Medic 14 arrived first on scene, along with Madison Police. MFD EMTs and paramedics put on life jackets and got on the hood of the vehicle. They fished a rescue rope through the front passenger window, and then through the driver’s side window, and tethered the rope to a Madison Police squad car parked on the launch about 40 feet away. This helped hold the truck in place, and the driver was able to take his foot off the brake.
Next, Medic 14 and Engine 5 placed a backboard up to the driver’s side window. With assistance, the driver was able to get on to the backboard, and MFD crews secured him and slid him onto the pier. The driver was not injured and did not require any further EMS.
Meanwhile, the MFD Heavy Urban Rescue Team (HURT) and the Lake Rescue Team each arrived on scene. The HURT positioned its squad to prepare to pull the vehicle from the water. A tow cable was extended from the squad and given to the Lake Rescue Team. The Lake Rescue Team connected the tow cable to the vehicle underwater. The HURT was then able to pull the boat from the water.
The vehicle was removed from the water at 12:08 PM.
About the Lake Rescue Team
The Madison Fire Department Lake Rescue Team responds from Fire Station 1 in downtown Madison. It has 51 trained scuba divers, certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. On-duty divers respond year-round to topside, underwater, and ice rescues and recoveries; vehicle recovery, and assistance calls from the City of Madison Police Department and Dane County Sheriff’s Office.
About the Heavy Urban Rescue Team
The MFD Heavy Urban Rescue Team (HURT) responds to any emergency requiring technical rescue techniques. The team is trained to respond to situations involving confined space rescue, high- or low-angle rope rescue, trench collapse, building collapse, silo and grain entrapment, and more. The team responds from Fire Station 8 on Lien Road.