Site last updated: Friday, March 29, 2024

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Man rescued from Connoquenessing Creek

MARION TWP, Beaver County — A Butler County man was rescued late Thursday night after the pickup truck he was driving plunged head-long into frigid Connoquenessing Creek.

Quick work by members of the Harmony Fire District and Butler County Water Rescue Team 300 was credited with saving the man from his dicey, icy predicament.

“From the time we got there, we had him out in about 10 minutes,” said Scott Garing, chief of the Harmony District and a Team 300 member.

And possibly not without a minute or two to spare, with the fear of potential hypothermia on the minds of rescuers.

Wet and shivering, the man, from Zelienople and believed to be in his 60s, was taken to Ellwood City Hospital. His name and his condition were not immediately available.

It also was not known what caused the man to lose control of his truck on Route 588 in Marion Township, not far from the Zelienople Municipal Airport, and travel into the creek.

State police are investigating but an accident report was also not available. The investigating trooper did not immediately return a call.

Big Knob volunteer firefighters were part of the initial call but once they got there they knew they needed help. A little after 11 p.m., Harmony Fire District and the Team 300 got the call to assist.

Emergency crews found the man in the passenger seat with water up to the bottom of the seat. The front end of the pickup was in the creek

“The water was probably 20 degrees,” Garing estimated.

More in Digital Media Exclusive

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS