On Friday evening, local emergency responders dealt with back-to-back rescue calls at the Six Mile Creek gorge. The Ithaca Fire Department and Bangs Ambulance first attended to an unconscious individual who had been swimming near the 30-foot dam.
According to IFD Public Information Officer Assistant Chief Jim Wheal, first responders discovered a person in severe medical distress requiring evacuation from the gorge.
Firefighters provided medical care and utilized a Stokes basket, ropes, and a winch to extricate the individual and transport them to a waiting ambulance. During this operation, a nearby hiker informed rescue personnel of a group further down the trail calling for help.
IFD crews investigated and found a person stuck on a steep slope, unable to continue. They used ropes to secure and safely move the individual, then guided the group out of the Six Mile Creek natural area. Bangs Ambulance and Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office personnel were also present at the scene. The two-hour-long operations prompted a social media alert to avoid the Giles Street area.
As the weather improves, the IFD urges the public to enjoy gorges and natural areas responsibly. The department advises visitors to stay on trails, avoid swimming in unsafe areas, carry a cell phone, and be aware of their location in case they need to call for assistance.
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