Fire Crews Rescue Girl Stranded in Nooksack River in Ferndale

FERNDALE, Wash. — First responders with Whatcom County Fire District 7 rescued a 10-year-old girl Wednesday evening after she became stranded along the Nooksack River near Hovander Park.

Emergency responders received a 911 call around 6:10 p.m. Aug. 26.

“The initial 911 information indicated the girl was along the riverbank but was in water deep enough that adults on shore could not safely reach her. The caller reported that she was stuck along the side of the river and, although she was safe at that moment, the river current prevented the adults from reaching her.”

Officer Cody Barry, Everson Police Department

“The initial 911 information indicated the girl was along the riverbank but was in water deep enough that adults on shore could not safely reach her,” Officer Cody Barry of the Everson Police Department said. “The caller reported that she was stuck along the side of the river and, although she was safe at that moment, the river current prevented the adults from reaching her.”

Barry serves as the department’s public information officer. He also serves as a lead for the Whatcom County Water Rescue Task Force.

Fire District 7 Reaches the Girl First

Emergency crews quickly began responding to the area. In the video shared with PNW Daily, emergency responders can be seen just downstream from the girl.

Barry said before water rescue teams arrived, Fire District 7 personnel successfully brought the girl to safety.

Water Rescue Task Force Stands Down

The task force includes personnel from several agencies. Those agencies include Everson Police, Sumas Police, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Whatcom County Search and Rescue.

The task force began responding after receiving the initial report. However, crews canceled the response before they entered the river because Fire District 7 had already rescued the girl.

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