DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/6/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Special Rescue
INCIDENT ADDRESS: Howard Street Bridge and the Spokane River
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201
NARRATIVE: November 6, 2010 at 1402 hours the Spokane Fire Department dispatched the SFD High Angle Rescue Team, the SFD Water Team, 1 Heavy Rescue and an ALS Engine to the Howard Street bridge in Riverfront Park. The fire department resources were needed to assist the Spokane Police Department in the recovery of a male patient that had fallen approximately 65 feet off the bridge onto a rock outcropping in the Spokane River.
Police and Fire set up a Unified Command to deal with the incident. The river was flowing water onto both sides of the basalt rock outcropping making access to, and recovery of the man difficult. Two planned approaches were initiated to gain access to the man. A high angle recovery rope system was set up off the bridge, while members of the Water Rescue Team made entry into the river by kayak to access the rocky island. Additional personnel were positioned downstream as a safety team for the rescuers who would be working above several sections of the falls. SPD contacted Avista who partially closed one of the dams, diverting water into another channel away from rescue personnel.
Diverting the water into another channel really assisted the rescuers in gaining access to the outcropping. A haul system was set up and the man was lifted by ropes up to the bridge. A representative from the coroner's office confirmed that the victim was deceased.
The Spokane Police department is still in the process of investigating this incident. There were no reported injuries to police or fire personnel during this joint recovery.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The Spokane Police Department is handling this investigation.
DAMAGE EXTENT: See above.
DOLLAR LOSS: 00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
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