Escambia County First Responders Make Rescue Along Embankment Near Scenic Highway

Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Fire Rescue Special Operations saved a person on Monday, Oct. 12, after the victim was hit by a crane and fell down a nearly 25-foot embankment overlooking Scenic Highway.

Escambia County Emergency Communications received a 911 call about the incident at approximately 10:12 a.m. and quickly dispatched first responders to the scene near Copter Road and Grow Drive.

EMS personnel were the first on scene and climbed down the embankment to perform medical treatment on the patient. The ECFR Special Operations team arrived shortly after with ropes and a basket to rescue the patient. First responders were able to safely pull the individual from the embankment and provide medical care on scene. The patient was then transported to a local hospital by Escambia EMS.

Dr. Benjamin Abo, Escambia County Public Safety Medical Director, took part in the successful rescue mission along with EMS and ECFR, working with the team to ensure that the patient was immediately provided the best possible care on scene, before even arriving at the hospital.

"Rescue is a team sport, and it should always be medically directed, so that it's medically directed rescue and not rescue directed recovery," Dr. Abo said. "When we are working together, we can operate more effectively. By also providing care that is already going to be provided in the trauma center, we are bringing the care to our patients on scene."

Escambia County Public Safety has seen an uptick in medical and rescue calls since Hurricane Isaias made landfall on Friday, Oct. 9. If you have a medical emergency or need immediate medical attention, call 911.