06/01/2026
Madison Township Fire Department Responds to Fatal Water Rescue on Licking River
MADISON TOWNSHIP, OH — On the afternoon of May 31, 2026, the Madison Township Fire Department and automatic mutual aid partners responded to a critical water rescue operation on the Licking River that tragically resulted in the drowning of a 15-year-old female.
At 3:29 PM, emergency crews were dispatched to the 4.2-mile marker on the Licking River, approximately one mile east of Staddens Bridge, following reports of a family of five stranded on a log jam. Due to elevated, dangerous flood waters, first responders immediately initiated an emergency rescue response.
Upon arriving at the riverbank, Fire Chief Nick Garver and Lieutenant Sullivan encountered rapid currents and individuals calling for help. They observed two adults trapped on a log jam and two kayakers holding onto the debris.
Rescuers immediately entered the water to reach the family and located a 15-year-old female who had become trapped and fully submerged on the upstream side of the log dam. A sudden drop-off from three to over five feet, combined with violent flood currents, severely hindered initial rescue movements.
Fighting extreme water pressure and underwater branches, the rescuers, aided by a Newark firefighter, successfully freed the victim at 3:47 PM and moved her to a nearby sandbar, where awaiting crews immediately initiated CPR.
While medical efforts were underway, Chief Garver and shore personnel utilized throw ropes to safely extract the remaining adult male and adult female from the log jam. All victims and rescuers were safely out of the water by 4:04 PM.
The teenage victim was transported in cardiac arrest via ground ambulance to Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH). Despite exhaustive lifesaving efforts by first responders and hospital medical staff, she was later pronounced deceased.
Following the rescue, Madison Township personnel remained on scene to assist the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) with watercraft recovery and scene clearing.
The Madison Township Fire Department extends its deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim during this unimaginably difficult time.
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