| The Carroll County 911 Center dispatched a water rescue call on Saturday, September 12 at 5:16 pm. A driver on Rt. 32, Sykesville Road, reported seeing a person jump off the bridge into the Liberty Reservoir below.
Gamber's Dive 13 and Boat 13 were initially alerted for the call along with support apparatus from neighboring departments. Police closed off the bridge to vehicle traffic. Utility 13 and boat 13-1 responded as well. Rescue personnel responded to the shoreline under the bridge and to the boat docks located on Oakland Mills Road.
Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department responded with Rescue Squad 12, Medic 127, ATV 12, Utility 12, and Medic 128. Support divers from other Carroll County fire companies also responded. Additional resources from Frederick County and Baltimore County were added to the assignment but were later cancelled.
After initial searches from the bridge, along the shoreline, and by boat using side-scan sonar, no victims were found. Officers on the scene reported that the water depth under the bridge where the person was seen jumping was 15 feet.
It was then reported that earlier in the day, people were seen jumping from the underside of the bridge into the reservoir. Command staff decided to cancel the remaining units and place everything in service.
The public is reminded that swimming in the Liberty Reservoir is not permitted. Diving from the bridge is also prohibited and is extremely dangerous. Additionally, due to the ongoing drought conditions, the reservoir level has dropped significantly. This has resulted in much shallower water levels under the bridge.
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