[UPDATE Thursday: One Dead] Emergency Personnel Are Rushing to a Report of Multiple People Stuck on Tractor in Waters Near Fernbridge; One in the Water Downstream

Aerial photo of the Eel River flooding earlier today near where the tractor is stuck. [Photo from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services]

Aerial photo of the Eel River flooding earlier today near where the tractor is stuck. [Photo from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services]

Multiple people are trapped on a tractor in the rushing waters of the swollen Eel River and one person can be heard downstream from the tractor, according to reports relayed by a dispatcher over the scanner. She is passing information to emergency personnel responding to what is being called a possible swift water rescue.

The incident was first reported about 7:45 p.m. Those stuck were reported to be berry workers. At 8:25 p.m., an officer reported being able to see but not reach the tractor which was about a half mile from him.

The current report is that there are three to four people on the tractor and one in the water.

Unfortunately, the rest of the response won’t be quick as the flood means that emergency personnel have to go around through Blue Slide road near Rio Dell and then take Grizzly Bluff Road to Ferndale, according to a report from one responder. He explained that not only can’t they use Ferndale Bridge, they can’t use Waddington Road either.

The Coast Guard is responding, according to the dispatcher. Though it is unclear whether they will use a boat or a helicopter.

Map showing route rescuers may have to take.

Map showing route rescuers may have to take.

Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.

UPDATE 9:20 p.m.: A boat is in the water “with one rider.” We’re unsure what that means. We believe it means two in the boat but we are unclear.

UPDATE 9:26 p.m.: According to reports from the scene over the scanner, several children were on the tractor and have been rescued. The “husband” is still in the water. More children may be in the home.

UPDATE 9:33 p.m.: The children have been extracted from the tractor, reports an officer from the scene over the scanner. Then he indicates that someone is looking for the “outstanding subject.” He also reports that the Coast Guard helicopter is now on the scene.

UPDATE 9:40 p.m.: The dispatcher reports that there is a 12-year-old watching smaller children in a nearby home.

UPDATE 9:50 p.m.: The Fernbridge webcam is showing (in a blurry emergency-lights-in-the-dark way) some of the action. Below is a screenshot. We’ve circled the light that is flying around the area–presumably this is the Coast Guard helicopter.

Light from what appears to be the Coast Guard helicopter circling an area. [Screengrab from the Fernbridge Webcam]

Red circle indicates the light from what appears to be the Coast Guard helicopter hovering over the area. [Screengrab from the Fernbridge Webcam]

Update 10:15 p.m.: The Coast Guard helicopter appears to be searching in the Port Kenyon area, according to reporters we have in the area.

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: The search isn’t successful so far. One of the Coast Guard helicopter crew just said over the radio, “We have saturated area all the way to ocean…Have fuel for another half hour. Contact command center to decide to call off for the night…”

UPDATE 10:35 p.m.: The helicopter is having to leave the search. One of the Coast Guard helicopter crew just stated, “Working our way out then heading back to base.”

UPDATE 10:50 p.m.: About five minutes ago, the helicopter returned to base, according to a helicopter crew member speaking over the scanner.

UPDATE 11:22 p.m.: According to reports over the scanner, from the tractor and the home together, four children and two adults were rescued. One man is still missing.

UPDATE 9:53 a.m. Thursday: One Dead After Attempted Civilian Rescue by Tractor Failed

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

30 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

I don’t think the picture above is near where the tractor is stuck. That is the Loleta side of the river and Cock Robin Island bridge.

onrust
Guest
onrust
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

I agree with the commenter above. The bridge is Cock Robin Island Bridge and the top of the page is the north side. Right at the end of the bridge due west is what usually is a County boat ramp, now covered with water. Further north is Cannibal Island Road. If you look at your map where it says Cock Robin Island and look closely you see the bridge just south of the name. There are several houses on the south side and a ranch or two. You won’t be getting there with anything that has wheels. It helicopter country at the point. Boats are probably too dangerous.

Lml
Guest
Lml
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Any updates this morning?

sharon
Guest
5 years ago

Oh my. Let me guess. Stupid josh j. Thought it a good idea to do this. He destroyed my little four wheel drive for laughs, leaving, cheating, he is a pig.

Applebalm
Guest
Applebalm
5 years ago
Reply to  sharon

What the heck is wrong with you? Children’s lives are in the balance right now, and you have to spew personal vitriol. SMH.

Just me
Guest
Just me
5 years ago
Reply to  sharon

So not about you

Susan
Guest
Susan
5 years ago

Kym, the Coast Guard has a helicopter now over the area scanning.

Just me
Guest
Just me
5 years ago

God i wish they would find the dad 🙁

Jackie Tirado
Guest
5 years ago

Pretty sure they are dairy workers not Berry workers

Dan F
Guest
Dan F
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

My $.02 worth says it’s likely the dispatcher misheard the name!!!

Holly
Guest
Holly
5 years ago

No, you are not wrong Kym and thank you for your service 🙂 You are very much appreciated!

Willie caos- mayhem
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Holly

🕯She is the candle in the window.

Wondering
Guest
5 years ago

Berry workers?…what does that mean?

Just me
Guest
Just me
5 years ago
Reply to  Wondering

I believe it is a family of dairy workers

Non-erasable Typo
Guest
Non-erasable Typo
5 years ago

Once the CHP dispatcher/call-taker enters a line in his/her computer they can’t change it. They can either delete it from the online website (but not from their computer log – that’s permanent), type out a new line referencing and correcting it, or just leave it as it is and explain the typo to any officer who might ask.

Unless it’s a potential life-or-death error they’re usually busy doing more important things, like simultaneously answering 9-1-1 callers and working the radio.

Paul C Windham
Guest
Paul C Windham
5 years ago

It’s nice to see real journalism, just reporting the facts. How refreshing. Thanks, Kim.

Brian
Guest
Brian
5 years ago

Kym, you must be busy!

You mentioned something on another post about errors.

May I mention 2 things in this post you should re-read and perhaps edit for clarification, if you want.

1)The paragraph (sentence) that begins with “Unfortunately” before your updates.

2)Your wording in the parenthesis in the 9:50pm update.

Sleepy Alligator
Guest
Sleepy Alligator
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian

Really?

Brian
Guest
Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

🕯Thank you Kym.

Lml
Guest
Lml
5 years ago

Any update this morning?

tworedogs
Guest
tworedogs
5 years ago
Reply to  Lml
Mobius Dancer
Guest
Mobius Dancer
5 years ago
Reply to  tworedogs

Sorry to hear that. Thanks for the update – but it doesn’t seem that this link is in any way informative.

Proud Deplorable Grandma
Guest
Proud Deplorable Grandma
5 years ago
Reply to  tworedogs

That’s horrible, but what a hero saving his children.