April 1, 2009

A man nearly drowned in a creek near the Rivanna River.

The Charlottesville Fire Department and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad responded to a call from the victim's friend just after 11:30 am Wednesday morning, saying he had fallen into the Rivanna River behind Cosner Brothers on East High Street.

When crews arrived, they say they couldn't find the victim or the friend anywhere near the River. Finally rescue crews found them in a creek-bed near Carolina Avenue.

"Teams of rescue personnel worked their way to the subject. The subject was removed safely, and was transferred to the hospital safely by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad," said Peter Carpenter, the Charlottesville Fire Department Battalion Chief.

Officials aren't releasing the name of the victim yet, nor will they comment on his condition in the hospital.