UPDATE: Oswego Fire Chief Jeff McCrobie said 17 fishermen were rescued during today's episode of rising water on the Oswego River in the city. He said no one was injured. A total of 14 firefighters were on the scene, with four in the rescue boat shuttling the 17 fishermen stranded out on the small island in the river to...
Men fishing on the Oswego River near the Varick power dam.UPDATE:
Oswego Fire Chief Jeff McCrobie said 17 fishermen were rescued during today's episode of rising water on the Oswego River in the city.
He said no one was injured. A total of 14 firefighters were on the scene, with four in the rescue boat shuttling the 17 fishermen stranded out on the small island in the river to shore.
"Most of them had walked out from Leto Island on the east side. But then the water levels started to rise," McCrobie said. "It was due to the excessive rain we're getting today."
Oswego, NY -- Two fishermen on the Oswego River have called to report a rescue operation going on right now (about 11:30 a.m.) at about the same location as Tuesday's fatal fishing accident.
Jared Crimmins, of Scriba, said he was watching fire and police come to the area along the West Linear Park. Oswego County 911 reported no one is in distress or still in the water. Fishermen who were in the water when the level rose got to the small island near the power plant and are safe.
911 personnel said the fire department boat is picking them up and getting them to shore. They are picking them up three or four at a time and taking them to shore. The 911 call came in at 11:29 a.m.
Fishermen Crimmins, Jared Ryder of Fulton and John Sheridan of Breesport, Chemung County, all said they did not hear a siren go off signaling a rise in river water levels.
Julie Smith-Galvin, communications director for Brookfield Renewable Power, which owns and operates the Varick power plant on the river, said "the increased flows today on the Oswego River are caused by natural weather conditions. Our alarm system is only triggered when river flows change significantly due to power operations. We encourage everyone on all rivers in the region to be extra cautious, particularly today as the rain will cause flow increases."
This is at the same site where two men were swept away Tuesday while fishing near the power dam. Leonard M. Nichols, 45, of Wellsburg, Chemung County, died at Oswego Hospital. Clifford Luther, 52, of Horseheads, Chemung County, remains in critical condition at the hospital.
Fisherman Joseph Fregosi, of Mahopac, Putnam County, was fishing in the water with three friends beginning at 6:45 a.m. He said the water was up to their waists.
But about 11 or so, the water began to rise. Fregosi said there was no siren.
"We were on the rocks parallel to the power dam. I was thinking they better send a boat," Fregosi said.