CAPON BRIDGE, W.Va. — Part of a 50-year Scouting America tradition over Memorial Day weekend ended early after 30 people were rescued from the banks of the Cacapon River Saturday after river levels became unsafe, according to officials.
“We coordinated resources using boat teams from Springfield and Romney to make the rescues,” Capon Bridge Volunteer Fire Department Chief Stuart Davis said.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. crews were dispatched to a group of Scouts that had been floating on the Cacapon River as part of a 50-year, Memorial Day weekend tradition, according to Romney Volunteer Fire Department Chief GT Parsons.
“They float the river and camp for two nights,” Parsons said. “When they put in, they didn’t think (the river) was as bad as it was.”
The Scouts and leaders, who were reportedly from Fairfax, Virginia, were able to make it to the banks of the river that was inaccessible by vehicle.
“The only way to get them back across was by boat,” Parsons said.
Davis said all scouts were accounted for, but the group had been split up and was scattered across at least three different locations along the riverbank.
“Eighteen Scouts and adults were rescued from the first location using two rescue boats and a boat downstream for safety,” Parsons said. “The second location, 10 were rescued.”
Parsons said that two additional Scouts were rescued further downstream where they had started to set up a camping area.
The rescue operation took approximately one hour, Parsons said, who was part of the rescue team on the river.
“The group was taken to a nearby cabin, where the owners generously allowed the Scouts inside and warm up,” Parsons said. “All were checked by EMS and no injuries were reported.”
The family staying in the cabin provided hot chocolate to the Scouts, Parsons added.
Units remained on scene for approximately three hours, according to Davis.
Units from Hampshire County EMS, Augusta EMS, Slanesville Volunteer Fire Department, boat teams from Mineral County and Frederick County, Virginia, responded to the incident.
Scouting America was not immediately available for comment on the incident.
Todd Bowman is a local and national journalist specializing in public safety news. Follow his work on all social media platforms @BreakingBowman.