Teenager Rescued After Fall From Railroad Bridge

Sykesville fire and rescue crews worked for about two hours to rescue a teenager who either jumped or fell from a CSX railroad bridge over the Patapsco River in the early hours of June 1.

Deputy Fire Chief Ed Ruch, Jr. says the 17 year old teenager was with a group of friends on the tracks around 2:00 am when he either fell or jumped about 20 feet into the river below. He landed on a concrete slab and was unable to get out of the water himself.

Ruch says arriving fire and EMS crews joined Maryland State Police troopers in stabilizing the patient and assessing his injuries. A request was made for the Carroll County Advanced Tactical Rescue team to help with the difficult extrication. Rescuers placed the victim in a litter basket and used ropes to raise him to the bridge surface. He was then taken by Sykesville's four-wheel-drive Life Support 12 to a waiting Maryland State Police helicopter. The victim was flown to Shock Trauma.

Ruch says that access to the victim was difficult as the location was about a mile off Marriottsville Road along the CSX railroad tracks. Rail traffic had to be halted while the rescue took place.

The victim's name has not been released, and his condition is unavailable.