Date:  Nov. 7, 2009

Contact: Petty Officer Bill Colclough
(216) 902-6020 office
(216) 310-2608 cell

Coast Guard, Lorain Police rescue fisherman fallen off pier 

CLEVELAND - U.S. Coast Guard Station Lorain assisted the Lorain Police Department with the rescue of a recreational fisherman after he fell from a pier on the Black River, Saturday, at approximately 9 a.m.

"We arrived on scene and a Lorain PD officer had  a line tied to his hand, so we went bow-in and passed a life jacket to the man," said Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Marco Worsley. "He had a lasceration from the fall, and he said he lost feeling in his left arm."

Seaman Heath Brewer and Fireman Caleb Rank pulled the man from the approximately 50-degree water, and Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Chris Jones treated him for shock once he was safe on board.

Worsley and his 25-foot small response boat (RB-S) crew transported the man to awaiting Emergency Medical Services at the Hotwater's boat launch.

The man had been in the water for approximately 10 minutes and experienced signs of hypothermia.

A person contacted the Coast Guard when they saw a man fall in the water and began screaming for help.

The Coast Guard worked closely with the Lorain Police Department to rescue the man from distress. 

The Coast Guard advises everyone to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times, whether recreating on the water or near the water. It is much more difficult to locate, access or don a life jacket at the moment an accident occurs.

Additional information on life jackets (PFDs), can be found at http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/equ_pfd.htm.

For further media inquiries, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020.

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