First Responders Discuss Daring Mud Rescue

ESSEX, Md. (WJZ) -- It was a daring rescue on the Back River in Essex after two men got stuck for hours. Now we're hearing from the brave first responders involved with the dramatic air rescue.

Linh Bui explains how it all unfolded.

Conditions were very dangerous but for these first responders, it was all in a day's work.

Sky Eye Chopper 13 captured the intense rescue in the Back River in Essex near the Rt. 695 overpass.

"Oh, it was mayhem galore around here," said Curtis Authenreath.

Two men demonstrating an amphibious vehicle ended trapped in the mud for eight hours.

"It's all like quicksand," said Brandon Watkins.

Now we hear from the first responders who saved them.

"Yesterday was a chilly and windy day," said the other first responder.

Baltimore County Police sent out their helicopter and firefighter Brandon Watkins dropped down.

"I asked them if they were hurt and they said 'No, we're just cold.' On the way up, I tried to comfort him 'cause I'm sure he was scared to death," Watkins said.

The first man was airlifted to safety but it was too dark for another hoist rescue so several all terrain vehicles went in for the second man.

"They got stuck four or five times en route back to the shoreline," said the other first responder.

A medic was standing by on shore but both rescue victims were unharmed and were not taken to the hospital.

Hypothermia was a concern but both men are just fine.

First responders say this rescue was rare but that their training prepares them.

A good Samaritan with an ATV also assisted police and fire crews with the rescue.

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