The Coahoma County Volunteer Fire Department deployed its rescue boat Monday morning to take a man off a towboat on the Mississippi River who was experiencing a medical emergency.
Coahoma County was contacted at 8:01 a.m. Monday by marine radio a towboat pushing a large barge up the river needed to transport a man to a hospital.
A Coahoma County VFD statement said CCFD Engine 1, Rescue Boat 1, EMS-SR 1 and Pafford EMS personnel were notified and an access point was established for the tow and the Rescue Boat and medical personnel were dispatched.
“After strategic coordination with the vessel's captain, an access point was established and resources were deployed to access the ill subject using the Quapaw Landing Boat dock,” The department said in a statement. “Paramedics were able to assist in the retrieval of the subject and began assessment and treatment immediately. Firefighters from Lyon responded with an 18-minute tone to water time.”
The extent of the employee's injuries or his condition was not listed.
The Coahoma County Rescue Boat was relaunched last fall by the Coahoma County Volunteer Fire Department, Coahoma County Supervisors and a private donation from a river-related industry.
