MUSCATINE, Iowa - The Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a 911 call of a person in the water at the riverfront in Muscatine at approximately 4:26 p.m. Monday (Feb. 5). Emergency responders were dispatched and upon arrival found a subject in the open water portion of the river. The subject was located and tracked by personnel on shore while water rescue resources were responding.
Once the boat was on scene, crews worked to clear an opening in the ice from the shore to the open water (approximately 15 feet) that was large enough for the rescue boat to fit through. Once that was completed the boat was launched with rescue personnel and paramedics.
The subject was reached quickly and brought into the rescue boat with medical care beginning immediately. The subject was transferred to a waiting ambulance once the boat returned to the ramp and transported to Trinity Muscatine in critical condition.
Additional information regarding this situation is not yet available, and the incident is being investigated by the Muscatine Police Department.
Approximately 30 personnel from the Muscatine Police Department, Muscatine Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine Search and Rescue, and the Muscatine Fire Department were on scene as well as the county emergency manager.
Three responders were taken to Trinity Muscatine in private vehicles for assessment due to exposure to the extreme cold and wet environment. None of the responders showed any medical distress on scene, and the assessment was done as a preventative measure.