06/23/2025
WATER RESCUE & SAFETY CAUTION - This was a busy weekend for AAFD on the Huron River. On Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM, firefighters were dispatched to the river in the area of Argo Park for two reported kayakers in distress. There ended up being four kayakers who were assisted by others to the shore. Due to conflicting information, AAFD checked the river and discovered a fifth person who had fallen overboard was hanging onto a kayak by Bandemer Park. Fortunately, this person was wearing a personal floatation device. AAFD brought this person into our rescue boat and assisted them to shore. We received no 911 calls on this fifth person. It was fortuitous that AAFD was checking the river. We have experienced multiple concurrent rescues previously; when river conditions are rough for one, it is often rough for others.
On Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM, AAFD responded to Gallup Park for a person who was injured jumping into the river from the Gallup Bridge. Fortunately, the person suffered non-life threatening injuries.
NEVER jump off any of the bridges over the Huron River. People have DIED doing this exact thing on this stretch of the Huron River. The depth of the river is constantly changing and the river is full of debris.
We cannot stress enough the strength and speed of the Huron River's current. PLEASE WEAR A PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE if on the Huron River. The Huron River is NOT a controlled "lazy river" like you would find at an amusement park.
(picture is file photo)
