Gamber & Community Fire Co. and neighboring fire companies were alerted for a possible inland water rescue at approximately 8:30 pm in the Liberty Reservoir on Thursday, July 3. Units were dispatched to Deer Park Road near the Carroll/Baltimore County line.
Gamber Chief 13, Chad Hastings, arrived on the scene and was told by witnesses that a male swimmer could not be located. Chief Hastings established command and called for additional resources. A search was started in the water near the Deer Park Road bridge over the reservoir on the Carroll County side.
In addition to Gamber units, Sykesville, Reese, Westminster, Franklin, Reisterstown, and Texas responded. Baltimore County Rehab Units also arrived on the scene to provide canteen services.
Rescuers and support personnel gained access to the water via hiking trails, and boats were put in the water from two boat ramps located on Oakland Mills Road in Eldersburg. Boats and divers were in the water searching until midnight when the search was called off.
Plans were to resume the search in the morning on July 4. The Friday search was no longer a fire department operation but under the direction of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Carroll County Sheriff’s office.
Sykesville, Reese, Westminster, Baltimore County Units: Franklin Station 56, Reisterstown Station 41, Middle River Rescue Station 74, Rehab 156, 157, and 20. Boat 17 from Texas Station 17; Carroll County Sheriff, Department of Natural Resources Police, Baltimore City Environmental Police, MSP Helicopters, Carroll County Roads Dept.
