06/20/2026
Friday evening at 11:50pm, Elkland Search and Rescue was dispatched through the Dispatch Center of the Elk County Office of Emergency Services to meet the Pa State Police, Ridgway Barracks in the vicinity of 3223 Route 219, between Ridgway and Johnsonburg. The request was to assist in locating an overdue 46 year old male, tuber/kayaker on the Clarion River. The Pa State Police Aviation Section also dispatched a helicopter to the scene.
An Incident Command Post was established at the Precision Detailing parking lot. Drones from PSP and Elkland Sar were launched from the Command Post to start the search from this general area. Also, Hasty Teams and UTV Teams were tasked with trying to locate the missing individual. Other SAR Team tasks were to establish boat launch areas for the boat teams once they got on scene to get them in the water.
The Ridgway Fire Department, was requested to the scene to supply UTV support to search the west side of the river. The Dubois Task Force 50 Water Rescue Team and the Curwensville Rescue Hose and Ladder Water Rescue Team were also dispatched to assist in the search.
As the helicopter from PSP arrived on scene to scan the river and banks, as a safety precaution, the drones were returned to the Command Post, so as to not interfere with the flight path of the helicopter. Also arriving on scene then, were the Swift Water Rescue Teams. Ridgway Ambulance Corporation, was in the process of being requested to the scene for a stand-by assignment.
North of the initial search area, The PSP helicopter spotted a heat signature and flew to investigate the area. The individual was located out of the river, about 6 feet up the bank, on the east side of the river. The responders traveled to the victim and assisted him walking about 50 yards to Route 219. The hypothermic individual was put into the Curwensville Rescue Hose and Ladder Co. Ambulance Services Ambulance, who also travel with the Swift Water Rescue Team to support the team if needed, to start to rewarm the victim until Ridgway's Ambulance arrived within minutes. Care of the victim was transferred to the Ridgway Amb. Service for treatment and transport to the hospital.
Insite's from today's mission:
*The water in the river is still cool and the air temperature at dispatch in the area was 52 degrees. Once the sun goes down, the temperatures drop quickly. If a person is wet, and exposed to these cool temperatures, they are SERIOUSLY, putting themselves into harm's way. We witnessed that tonight!
* Having a Life Jacket on or along can save a life and can also help keep a person warm if needed in a bad situation.
* Have a plan, and All Individuals of the group should understand that plan
*There were concerns with the time frame the individuals considered setting off on the float down the river. The time from Johnsonburg to Ridgway "Floating" is roughly, 4-6 hours. They departed Johnsonburg around 5:30pm. Considering the "Float Time" they didn't have provisions to be in the dark, nor spare clothing. Luckily, the other cold and wet individuals from the party, were able to make their way to a residence along the river and called 911 around 10pm, only covering about half of the distance between the two communities they thought they could cover.
* Too often, individuals now think that as long as they have their cell phones, everything will be OK. There are still many remote areas within Pennsylvania, that are not covered by cell coverage.
* Tonight's call could have had a Very Different Outcome if the search might have taken a little longer, the resources we had available, were not available or the search area was in a more remote location of the county.
* Well over 45 first responders were involved with this rescue tonight. Police, Fire, Ambulance, SAR, Swift Water Rescue Teams, Dispatchers and even Railroad Companies were involved to keep everyone safe and moving to assist in this rescue.
We, as First Responders, want the Public to get out there and enjoy our Pa Wilds! For Your Own Safety, have a plan, have supplies, have an understanding of what you are doing and be aware of your surroundings!
We share these incidents to learn from, and not Judge those involved. Hopefully someone gains something that will save a life, either their own or a person they help when they are having a bad day!
Respectfully Submitted,
John Feldbauer
Chief
Elkland Search and Rescue
