Reunion with rescuers
The family of a victim saved in an incident on Lake Cumberland recently met with rescuers at the Russell County Search & Rescue headquarters in Russell Springs.
By Wade Daffron
TJ Editor
Just over a year ago, the silence and serenity of an early morning was interrupted by a series of tones and emergency radio traffic when two people had reportedly fallen off a cliff.
Russell County Search & Rescue Commander Chris Money remembers that day in November 2024 well.
“We were dispatched to respond to cries for help in the Low Gap area of Lake Cumberland,” he said. “Upon arrival, crews discovered two individuals had fallen off a cliff face. One individual fell approximately 150 feet, coming to rest against a tree. The other individual fell an estimated 200 to 250 feet and was in critical condition.”
The many hours of training and practice drills paid off in a big way.
“Our skilled rope rescue technicians, along with two EMS personnel, scaled the rock face to reach both victims,” Commander Money said. “They set up a rope system to lower one patient in a Stokes basket down to a waiting boat, which then transported the individual to the nearest marina. From there, EMS transported the patient to a helipad for immediate airlift to a Level 1 trauma center. The second individual was secured in a rescue harness and assisted down the cliff face to another waiting boat, and subsequently to the marina, where EMS treated injuries including a possible ankle injury and facial trauma.”
Just over a year after the incident, a family involved in the incident met with local first responders on Sunday, December 14 at the Search & Rescue headquarters in Russell Springs.
It was a heartwarming event, Russell County Emergency Management Director Michael Bray said.
“It was a great opportunity to get a picture with the family and helicopter from the accident at the state park a year ago,” he said.
“That was a ‘reunite’ meeting that we had with a family of one of the individuals that was injured during the accident,” Commander Money said. “The family wanted to meet with everyone that was involved in his rescue to personally thank each and everyone of us.”
Money said a highlight of the visit was a fly-in visit from PHI, an air medical service who responded to the incident in 2024.
“They were nice enough to fly out and meet with the family,” Money said.
Bray has cherished memento from the recent reunion.
The family brought a printed message as keepsake which says, “With Gratitude Thank you for all that you did that fateful day that allowed our son to come back home to us.”
“May you feel God’s blessing always, as we do now, due to your actions.”
Russell County Search & Rescue has actually responded to other cliff rescues, lake and rivers rescues, and other, similar incidents within the past year.
Commander Money credited agencies including Russell County Dispatch, Russell County EMS, Russell County Emergency Management, Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, park rangers, “and all other agencies involved” for collaborative and cooperative efforts when help is needed.
“It is always an honor to work alongside such dedicated and professional teams,” he said.
