Jackson Marsh Rescue

Posted on 03/03/2023

Date: March 3, 2023
Case: Jackson Marsh Rescue 23-8542
Authority: Sgt. Brad Rodich #417

On March 3, 2023, at 1:08 pm, the Washington County Sheriff Communications Center took a call from a mother reporting that her 32-year-old son was lost in the Jackson Marsh. The son reported being very wet, extremely cold, and unsure of his location.

Washington County Deputies and Jackson Fire were dispatched to the scene. The caller was advised to have the son/patient call in on 911, at which point phone contact was made and a location was established via phone pin. The closest access points to the patient were determined to be from Church Rd south of Pleasant Valley Rd, and a farm lane access from Hwy 60.

Upon arrival, deputies deployed multiple drones and were able to locate the patient. The area where the patient was located was flooded, making access difficult. Jackson Fire requested the assistance of West Bend Fire Technical Rescue with their rigid-haul inflatable boat. Additional assistance was requested from Slinger Fire, Richfield Fire, Hartford Fire and Germantown Fire.

A team of rescuers wearing ice-rescue suits were guided in from the farm access via the drone. The team located the patient and established that the patient was hypothermic but otherwise uninjured. A second team with the inflatable boat was able to access the patient from the north from Church Rd. The patient was loaded onto the boat and brought out to Church Rd where he received care and was ultimately transported to the hospital.

At this time, it is believed that patient will make a full recovery.