MASONTOWN — While the Masontown Swift Water Rescue Team is ready to save those who need it, members offered some tips to help keep water enthusiasts safe.
Two local hotspots in Preston County are the Jenkinsburg or Bull Run Bridge and a section of Deckers Creek off W.Va. 7, near the Lion’s Club picnic tables, Chief Dan Luzier said.
“We actually had a call there over the holiday weekend,” Luzier said of the Deckers Creek waterfall. “Guy got injured and had to be brought out of there.”
Jenkinsburg Bridge, also sometimes called Blue Hole, is a popular spot with college students, Luzier said.
“Don’t jump off the bridge,” said rescue team member Chuck Curtis. “It’s a beautiful recreational area down there. And it’s like anything, if you’re using it right, you shouldn’t have a problem. Most of our calls are from people using alcohol and being in the water and/or jumping off a bridge and hitting the water wrong.”
Assistant Chief Pat Blosser also suggested not jumping from the Bull Run Bridge.
Despite the advice, Luzier said it’s a common thing for people to jump off the 60-foot bridge.
“If something does happen just getting to the bridge from Masontown is a task because the road’s so bad,” Blosser said.
The road has holes deep enough the hitches for the trailer are actually dragging, Luzier said. The brush is so bad it pokes the boat on the trailer.
“We’re busting tires on our trailer every trip we go down there,” Luzier said. “ We were down there last weekend and busted a tire again. Every time we pull our rescue trailer down there, we’re losing a tire and rim.”
Luzier said knowing the water where you’re swimming is important. It may be warm outside but a few feet under and the water can be much colder and before a swimmer knows it, they’re cramping up and unable to get out.
While it’s fine to enjoy yourself, it’s important to be aware of how much alcohol is consumed. It plays a factor in judgment and sometimes people get braver than they should be, Luzier said.
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