Multiple Agencies Respond to Offshore Rescue After Boat Capsizes in Lake Erie

Girard Township, PA – This morning at approximately 7:20 AM, Lake City Fire Company, Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, Fairview Lake Shore Fire Department, and West County Paramedics were dispatched for a water rescue approximately seven miles offshore from the Bluffs at Erie Bluffs State Park. Initial reports indicated that a boat with five souls on board had capsized and was sinking, with one individual believed to be trapped beneath the vessel.

Chief 560 requested dive teams from the City of Erie Fire and Fuller Hose. Additionally, Conneaut Fire Department was added to the assignment, responding with both a rescue boat and dive team.

Lake City’s Rescue 579 and Boat 578 responded to the mouth of Elk Creek, while Fairview Lake Shore’s Rescue 508 responded to Walnut Creek Marina to rendezvous with Boat 519. Boat 578 launched from Elk Creek utilizing an amphibious launch with two personnel on board, while Boat 519 launched from Walnut Creek with four personnel. Erie County 911 paged the vessel’s coordinates to responding units to assist with locating the incident.

While crews were en route, Erie County 911 advised that the caller remained on the line and reported another vessel in the area. Occupants of the capsized boat fired a distress flare, which Boat 519 observed and used to guide them to the scene.

Boat 519 arrived shortly afterward and located the overturned vessel with one individual on top. No other occupants were immediately visible. Moments later, crews learned that three victims had been rescued by a Good Samaritan vessel. At that time, four of the five occupants had been accounted for, with one individual still believed to be trapped beneath the overturned boat. The three individuals aboard the Good Sam vessel were then transferred onto Boat 519.

The United States Coast Guard arrived on scene shortly afterward. Meanwhile, the City of Erie dive team arrived at the Elk Creek access and immediately began preparing for dive operations. Divers suited up, assembled their equipment, and utilized one of Lake City’s smaller boats to depart land and head for the ongoing rescue operation.

At approximately 8:17 AM, a rescue swimmer from Boat 578 evaluated the overturned vessel and prepared to enter the water. The swimmer confirmed that one victim was located beneath the boat, and crews assessed the safest method of extrication. Moments later, the victim was removed from beneath the vessel and transferred to the Coast Guard boat, where lifesaving efforts immediately began. The Coast Guard vessel then transported the victim to Walnut Creek Marina with Lake City personnel on board.

Shortly afterward, West County Paramedics 112, Medic 1, West County 115, and Millcreek Fire’s 927 responded to Walnut Creek Marina to assist with patient care. Once all five occupants had been accounted for, dive teams were ordered to return to Elk Creek. Millcreek Boat 497 remained on scene with the capsized vessel to obtain additional drift information and updated coordinates.

All responding boats eventually returned to Walnut Creek Marina, where EMS personnel evaluated the rescued occupants. One victim was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.