MASONTOWN, W.Va. — A local fire chief says challenges keep mounting for his department to get to a popular warm-weather hangout in an emergency.
Already this spring, Masontown Volunteer Firemen in Preston County have been called to the Cheat River swimming hole under the Jenkinsburg Bridge twice.
Fire Chief Dan Lazier is urging caution already because one of the first warm days of spring a man jumped from the bridge into the river below.
“The bridge itself is about 60 feet off the water. It’s an arch bridge. Some people even climb to the top of it and jump off of it. That’s about 90 feet off the water,” said Masontown Fire Chief Dan Lazier.
The only way to the victim was a gator – all terrain vehicle – with a medical transport board on it.
“Bringing out with a spinal injury over the road we have to travel is critical,” explained Lazier.
A mile and half stretch of road to the bottom of the canyon has become impassable for regular sized emergency response vehicles and equipment trailer.
“We’re unable to get it on the Masontown side. We can’t get it down there now. We have to go around and come in from the Bruceton side with our water rescue trailer which has all of our vertical equipment on it – our boats. Anything like that if we have to do a rescue in the water. As far as bringing a patient out, the quickest way is to the Masontown side and that’s why it’s so critical right now,” Chief Lazier said.
Lazier is talking to the media to warn Bull Run visitors to play it smart on the river. With no plan for road improvements anytime soon, rescue attempts are delayed from the get-go.
The spot is used by rafters and others from all over the region.
“It’s just kind of a where they can get away and be in the middle of nowhere and enjoy the scenery and enjoy the water,” admitted Lazier.
The Cheat River swimming hole off of Bull Run Road is also known for accidents on the water and on the road leading to the area of Jenksinburg Bridge.
“Part of the problem for us is providing coverage for that area. You get into specialized rescue. It’s extremely expensive. We have a water rescue team. Getting access to the area is our biggest problem right now. The road has become, from Masontown dropping down into the Jenkinsburg bridge, has become so bad that we can’t get our equipment there anymore,” explained Masontown Volunteer Fire Chief Dan Lazier.
“Our biggest concern is patient care, taking care of people. We don’t want to close the area off. It’s so pretty. We have rafting companies that ride the river and this is where they take out. It’s really a nice place. But we want to be able to provide care to that area also,” said Lazier.
With no plans for improvements on the secondary county road, Lazier is warning river-goers to be cautious. They’ve already responded to a wreck this season.
“We had five WVU students in a Jeep coming out of there. They’d been down there all day. On their way out of there, flipped over, rolled over on the way out of there,” said Lazier.
Masontown firemen are planning door-to-door fundraising in June to keep their department afloat. But, with road work not on the table, Lazier said it’s immensely important for visitors to enjoy the river responsibly.
“It boils down to common sense to go down there and have a good time. If you spend the whole day and you’re under the influence and stuff, take some time before you ever come out of there. Use common sense.
Because it’s going to take more time than ever for rescue crews to get to accidents at the bottom of the Cheat River canyon.