March 30, 2009    
Vol. 39, No. 119

For more information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, 302-739-9913 or 302-542-6102, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Boater Rescued from Nanticoke River

            Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Agents on routine patrol along the Nanticoke River on Friday afternoon, March 27 in downtown Blades helped pull a boater from the river after he was knocked out of his boat.

            Allan Schmidt, age 61, of Wilmington, had been fishing on the west side of the Blades Bridge in a mid-sized bass boat. When his boat drifted under the bridge in a flood tide with current and became caught by the seat, Schmidt was knocked into the 46-degree water wearing a life vest that did not inflate.

            As agents spotted Schmidt going under and raced to reach him, an angler on the bank dove into the water to pull him to shore as an agent joined him. Seaford Fire and Rescue were waiting on the bank, but Schmidt declined further treatment. No injuries or damage resulted from the incident.

For further information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, at 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913.