KANAWHA FALLS. WV (WOAY) — The Fayette County Special Operations Team rescued a man trapped along the Kanawha River below Kanawha Falls on Tuesday.
Members from Gauley Bridge, Gauley River, Boomer, Montgomery, Pax, Fayetteville, Oak Hill, Armstrong Creek and Ansted Fayette County fire departments assisted. The man was trapped in a hole within the rocky terrain along the river.
Prolonged exposure had also caused mild hypothermia, although his injuries were minor.
Rescuers needed to navigate steep rock formations, narrow crevices and the river itself.
The patient was ultimately extracted and placed in a boat before being taken to the emergency room via Jan-Care Ambulance.
The Ansted Volunteer Fire Department says rescues like this show the importance of having a specialized, highly trained team to navigate rugged terrain in the New River region.
