07/21/2026
Mutual Aid Rope Rescue โ Narrows Road, Laconia
Yesterday at approximately 11:40 a.m., the Harrison Township Fire Department was dispatched on a mutual aid request to assist the Boone Township Volunteer Fire Department with a high-angle rope rescue on Narrows Road in Laconia. Initial reports indicated that a victim had fallen down a cliff and sustained injuries.
Upon arrival, crews located one victim approximately 40 feet below the top of the cliff who was already being evacuated by emergency personnel on scene. Two additional victims remained approximately 240 feet below the cliffโs edge, one of whom was uninjured.
Harrison Township Fire Department rope rescue technicians established a high-angle rope system and deployed three technicians with specialized rescue equipment to reach the remaining victims. Prior to our descent, an Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) employee had successfully reached the injured patient and was providing medical care.
Over the next several hours, rescuers worked together to safely complete the technical rescue, lowering the patient and rescuers to the Ohio River. There, the Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department transported the patient by boat to a nearby boat ramp, where Harrison County Hospital EMS was standing by to continue medical care and transport.
One of the three victims sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. No other injuries were reported.
This incident required a tremendous amount of coordination, communication, and teamwork. We would like to thank all of the agencies that assisted with this challenging rescue:
โข Boone Township Volunteer Fire Department
โข Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department
โข New Middletown Volunteer Fire Department
โข Harrison County Hospital EMS
โข Harrison County Sheriffโs Department
โข Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Incidents like this demonstrate the value of interagency cooperation and the dedication of first responders who train for these complex and demanding rescue situations. We are grateful for the professionalism and teamwork displayed by everyone involved, which helped bring this incident to a safe conclusion.