Members of the London Fire Departments marine unit were called to search the Thames River between Wellington Road and the forks of the Thames Saturday October 30, 2010 in the late afternoon. Ron Vermeltfoort and Jason Timlick take one of the units rescue craft from the Carfrae Cres to the forks of the Thames. MIKE HENSEN The London Free Press
More than 20 firefighters from the London Fire Department’s Marine Unit scoured the Thames River today following reports of a man in the water.
But the search ended at about 7 p.m. tonight, and no one was found in the water.
“The water search is complete, there was nothing in the water,” said Syd Gatenby, Platoon chief, London Fire Dept.
The Firefighters scoured the river east of Carfrae bridge- near the Labatt brewery – to Harris Park. They had zodiac boats and a rapid deployment craft dubbed “banana boats” which hold two firefighters, allowing them to walk in shallow areas of the water or paddle on it.
“We were contacted by London Police . . . to conduct a search of the river looking for a male,” said Gatenby. “They requested our assistance looking for a male who was to have gone in the water.”
London Police also conducted a shore search as firefighters took to the water. The fire department’s Marine 2 and 3 units were at the scene, and at Front street and Wellington road.
Dan Varga, superintendent of a nearby apartment building, saw the trucks arrive at about 5 p.m.
“I saw the trucks pull up and get the boats out. They were talking about how someone fell in,” he said.
“A lot of people hang out there, they party and fish a lot.”
There are also several homeless people in the area, including some who reportedly live under the bridge, he added.
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via The London Free Press.
