Fire Department rescues man from Ohio River

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) – Authorities say the Wheeling Fire Department carried out a successful water rescue of a man from the Ohio River Tuesday night.

Wheeling Public Information Officer Phillip Stahl says 911 got a call about someone yelling in the river near Wheeling Island Stadium around 7:45 p.m.

According to Wheeling Fire, the man was on the Suspension Bridge before he was in the water. They say he was conscious and responsive when he was rescued. Wheeling Fire say the man is being taken to Wheeling Hospital for evaluation.

The Ohio River level is high and the current is strong, according to authorities.

Benwood Fire was also called out due to the speed of river currents. Officials were worried that the fast currents would have swept the man too far away for them to rescue him.

“When a person is in the water, we will send a boat, several engines and a rescue truck out to try to make contact with the person and see where they’re at, and then do whatever we have to do to get them out.”

Assistant Chief Paul Harto – Wheeling Fire Department

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