Lake Loveland Dive Rescue
Loveland Dive Rescue
Around 22:02 on November 28th, 2015, 2015 Loveland Fire Rescue Authority was dispatched to a report of a vehicle into Lake Loveland at the intersection of Colorado Ave. & Eisenhower Blvd. Dispatch aired that civilians were jumping into the water to free the driver from the sinking vehicle. Battalion 1 requested for a full dive team response while in route after hearing the civilians were entering the lake. Dispatch also advised that the driver of the vehicle indicates there was a passenger inside, and the vehicle was fully submerged. Paramedic 341 arrived on scene and reported from bystanders also that there was a party still inside the vehicle, with one person out of the water with bystanders, and another civilian bystander attempting a rescue of the alleged victim still in the vehicle. Engine 1 arrived and reported a single set of headlights pointed back at the shore 75 yards out, and fully submerged. Battalion 1 arrived and assumed Lake Loveland command. Dive 2 arrived on scene and began to get divers into the water to check the vehicle for the alleged 2nd party. Larimer County Sheriff and Berthoud Dive teams were called in to respond for manpower. Divers checked the vehicle and reported it was empty, and immediately began sweeping the area working back toward shore. There was a substantial amount of confusion on whether or not there was a 2nd party in the water based on conflicting information from vehicle driver to other bystanders, but crews continued sweeping the water and lake bed. 3 total patients were treated for exposure to the cold water, the driver of the vehicle and 2 civilians who attempted rescue in the 20 degree temperatures. Approximately 30-45 minutes later the alleged 2nd party was located and confirmed to be nowhere near the scene at any time, having been dropped off by the driver earlier. Divers then assisted the recovery efforts of the vehicle for tow operators. The accident is under investigation by the Loveland Police Department. Additional information provided by Loveland Fire Rescue Authority
Units on Scene:
Loveland: Battalion 1, Engine 1, Engine 2, Dive 2, Rescue 2, Tower 6 & FIT 2
Berthoud Fire Protection District: Water Rescue
Thompson Valley EMS: Paramedic 341 & Paramedic 329
Larimer County Sheriff Dive Rescue Team, Loveland Police Department & Stan’s Auto Service Towing & Recovery