Child Pulled From Occoquan Reservoir in Water Rescue

A child fell out of a kayak into the Occoquan Reservoir yesterday evening and was rescued by his mother and another person, Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department Public Relations Specialist Rebecca Barnes said. 

OWL VFD firefighters responded at 5:45 p.m. after someone reported that the child had fallen out of a kayak into the reservoir.

"Medic 514 and Engine 514 arrived on the scene and made visual contact with the victim from the nearest shore," Barnes said. "Fortunately, the victim’s mother and another good Samaritan had come to his aid and had pulled the child from the water into a canoe."

OWL Boat 514 quickly made its way to the victim. The child was then taken back to Lake Ridge Marina, where the crew of OWL ambulance 514 made sure he was all right.

“We respond to about 25 to 100 water emergencies per year,” said Jim McAllister, Chief of OWL VFD. “We see an average of one to two fatalities per year. Most boating fatalities are a direct result of the victim not wearing a personal flotation device. This child was wearing a PFD and as a result, he is still with us today."

Fire and Rescue units from OWL VFD, Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue and Lake Jackson Volunteer Fire Department responded to the incident, Barnes said. 

For more information on OWL VFD, visit www.owlvfd.org or become a fan on Facebook at Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department.