The Ann Arbor Fire Department had a busy weekend responding to multiple water-related emergencies along the Huron River. Last Saturday, firefighters were dispatched to Argo Park after receiving a call about two kayakers in distress, though upon arrival, the situation entailed four kayakers needing assistance. A fifth individual, discovered hanging onto a kayak near Bandemer Park, was rescued without a prior 911 call being placed. "It was fortuitous that AAFD was checking the river," stated the City of Ann Arbor Fire Department on Facebook.
Firefighters have cautioned the public on the dangers posed by the river's deceptive current, highlighting that the Huron is not a controlled waterway. "The Huron River is NOT a controlled 'lazy river' like you would find at an amusement park," emphasized the Ann Arbor Fire Department, per CBS News. The Sunday incident involved a person injured from jumping off the Gallup Bridge into the river. Though injuries were non-life-threatening, the fire department reiterated the perils of such actions and the fact that people have previously died from similar stunts on this stretch of the Huron River.
In both statements, the fire department underscored the importance of wearing personal flotation devices when on the river. This advice comes after the person found near Bandemer Park was wearing a personal flotation device, a decision that presumably played a significant role in their safety. "PLEASE WEAR A PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE if on the Huron River," the City of Ann Arbor Fire Department urged on Facebook. The department also issued a stern reminder of the Huron River's unpredictable nature, warning against jumping off any bridge over the river due to varying depths and the presence of debris.
