Victim of dramatic water rescue speaks out, give thanks: ‘I’m glad I’m still alive’
ASTON, Pa. - Dramatic video from Middletown Fire Company shows Delaware County’s Water Rescue Task Force saving a man’s life after getting trapped during the height of Tuesday night’s storm.
"He phoned 911. All he was able to tell us was he lived off Flora Lane in Upper Chichester Township," Director of Delaware County Emergency Services, Timothy Boyce, described an emergency phone call.
The 20-year-old, identified by a family member as Joel Bryant, reportedly checking out what he thought was a fire in his neighborhood and wound up surrounded by water as the Marcus Hook Creek turned into a raging river by Riviera Drive just before 11 p.m. Tuesday night.
"At the time, the water was so strong," Boyce said. "The water was so strong. He had climbed a tree and he really couldn’t tell us much more. He also told us he had about two percent left on his battery of his phone."
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911 operators were able to find Bryant using technology called Next Generation 911.
Boyce went on, "We were able to geolocate exactly where he was in this crick."
Within three minutes, first responders were on scene, surveying the situation and entering the water. Crews from Aston, Middletown, Media, Chester and Chester Heights fire departments, braving the conditions.
"The danger of running water is uncontrollable. The current that is going with that is sweeping through your legs and it could take you and sweep," Captain Matthew McCormick, with the Aston Fire Department, said.
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Fortunately, first responders were able to safely bring the victim to the shoreline on a surfboard.
"He’s underplaying the courage it takes to go into that type running water," Boyce said. "That takes courage. That takes training and experience."
Members of the task force involved in the rescue received a commendation from the Delaware County Council for a job well done. The victim’s 22-year-old brother also expressed his gratitude.
"I obviously thank you. I couldn’t believe it. I’m a little bit stunned," James Bryant, the victim’s brother said.
20-year-old victim, Joel Bryant, walked through his harrowing experience with FOX 29’s Dawn Timmeney, describing the ordeal, "I almost can’t believe it. Really."
"How scared were you?" Timmeney asked.
"I kind of underestimated the danger I was in."
He walked from his home on Oliver Lane, in the dark, down along the power lines, to investigate what he thought was a fire nearby. "It was orange. Lit up the sky, almost."
At the creek, where all the drama unfolded, a rope used to rescue Bryant still hanging from the tree where he was stuck. He says his plan was to walk through the water to the other side. He had no idea how deep the creek had become or how strong the current was.
"I was over here. I take my first step. It’s up to my waist. I move another inch forward and I’m thinking I don’t want to drown at this point," Bryant explained. "It was really a life and death situation. Yes, if I had made one wrong move, I would have been down the river."
Bryant was able to cling to the roots of a tree, wrapping his legs around them. "All the water is crashing through me, from my right waist to my left. I inched over toward this tree and I climbed up it."
With the battery on his cell phone at just two percent, Bryant called 911. Within minutes, the Delaware County Water Rescue Task Force made of highly trained firefighters from several local departments arrived and brought him to safety.
"I want to say I’m glad I’m still alive. Big thank you to everybody involved, to everyone who was out there to save me," Bryant continued.
EMS officials say the fire Bryant thought he saw was probably a large flame coming from one of the industrial facilities along the river during the storm. 911 operators received a number of similar calls at the same time from folks also mistakenly thinking there were fires in the area.