In a harrowing sequence of events on Ohio’s Cuyahoga River, emergency responders conducted a massive rescue operation, saving over 50 people and six dogs from treacherous waters while simultaneously searching for a missing father whose 5-year-old son had died in a separate river tragedy just hours earlier.
Key Takeaways
- The Kent Fire Department rescued 23 people and six dogs from the Cuyahoga River, while assisting an additional 28 people to safety during a three-hour operation.
- Many of those rescued were without lifejackets and had lost control of their rafts and kayaks due to unexpectedly strong currents following recent storms.
- The rescue occurred as authorities were still searching for a father who went missing after saving his wife and 4-year-old son when their inflatable capsized; his 5-year-old son, Braxton Cross, was found dead.
- The search for the missing father has transitioned to a recovery mission involving approximately 50 personnel, five boats, drones, and search canines.
- Officials have strongly advised the public to avoid the river until conditions improve, emphasizing its current unpredictable and dangerous state.
Massive Rescue Operation Amid Dangerous Conditions
The Kent Fire Department in Ohio executed an extraordinary rescue operation, saving over 50 individuals and six dogs from the raging Cuyahoga River. The three-hour mission began when emergency services responded to reports of 11 people who had fallen from their rafts and couldn’t escape the fast-moving waters. As the situation escalated, more than four neighboring fire departments and a specialized water rescue team were called in to assist with the growing number of stranded river-goers caught in unexpectedly rough currents following recent storms that had dramatically raised water levels.
“Several [groups] were coming down the river on kayaks and rafts and observed losing control or falling out of their rafts and kayaks due to the current of the river,” the department reported regarding the incident. Many of those rescued were not wearing life jackets, significantly increasing their risk in the dangerous conditions. The Kent Fire Department had previously issued warnings about elevated water levels and rough rapids following severe weather, but unfortunately, not everyone received or heeded these critical safety cautions.
Tragic Backdrop to Rescue Efforts
The mass rescue operation occurred in the shadow of a heartbreaking tragedy that had struck just hours earlier near the Portage Trail Bridge. A family outing turned fatal when an inflatable craft capsized on June 21, resulting in the death of 5-year-old Braxton Cross. His father, who managed to save his wife and 4-year-old son before disappearing beneath the turbulent waters, remains missing. Authorities have now transitioned their efforts from a rescue mission to a recovery operation as hope for finding the father alive diminishes with each passing hour.
“Our heart hurts for the family, we’re here to support them, we’ve been doing everything we can to comfort them and provide closure,” said Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters.
The search for the missing father involves approximately 50 personnel from multiple agencies, including the Akron Fire Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Teams are utilizing five boats, drones, and search canines to cover every possible area where the man might be found. As water levels have begun to recede, search teams have gained access to previously inaccessible areas, expanding their search perimeter to maximize chances of recovery.
Continuing Dangers and Official Warnings
Following the dramatic rescue operations and tragic incidents, authorities have intensified their warnings about the river’s current dangerous state. Signs have been posted throughout Kent to alert potential river users about the hazardous conditions. The fire department has been unequivocal in its messaging to the public, stressing that the recent storms have created a potentially deadly situation with high water levels and fast-moving currents that can quickly overwhelm even experienced swimmers and boaters.
“With recent storms this past week, the water is both high and the current is fast,” the fire department stated. “Please stay clear of the water until conditions improve.”
Cuyahoga Falls firefighter Daniel Pittman, who has been involved in both the search and rescue operations, noted that conditions are constantly changing as water levels fluctuate. “Things that were inaccessible yesterday are accessible today. We’ve gone further upriver today and have located more high-hazard areas since the water has gone down,” Pittman explained. The department has emphasized that the river’s power and unpredictability demand respect, advising citizens to appreciate the river’s beauty from a safe distance rather than risking their lives in its currents.
“We ask that you stay on dry land and simply observe the beauty of the river during these rough conditions rather than risk danger to yourself and others,” the department urged in a statement that encapsulates the serious nature of the current situation on the Cuyahoga River.
