Man stranded on Oder concrete structure in Wrocław calls for help for two hours
A man who fell into the Oder in Wrocław shouted for help for about two hours from a concrete structure before water rescuers brought him ashore on the night of 12 October.
The call
On Monday, 12 October, a witness heard cries for help from the Oder near the shipyard on Michalczyka street in Wrocław and alerted the emergency services. The sources differ on the minute the call came in: FAKT24 gives 21:45 for the call from the emergency dispatch centre, TVN24 gives 21:48 for the city fire service command post, and Gazeta Wrocławska and Radio Wrocław place it just before 22:00. Water rescue patrols, volunteer rescuers from the WOPR, State Fire Service crews and police were all sent to the spot.
- Emergency call received by the rescue dispatch centre, per FAKT24 (TVN24 gives 21:48)
- Man falls into the Oder from the quay near Michalczyka street, swims to a concrete structure and calls for help for about two hours
- Rescue boat reaches the man, who is taken aboard and brought to the bank under the Sikorski Bridge
- Man handed over to the emergency medical team
Searching the river
The man had fallen into the water from the quay and swum to a floating concrete structure a dozen or so metres from the bank. He could not get back to land on his own. Guided by the witness, who pointed out where the shouts came from, rescuers found him standing on the structure.
The regional water rescue service, Dolnośląskie WOPR, described the location in its statement:
This is an isolated place.
Two hours on the structure
According to the WOPR, the man called for help for about two hours before the witness alerted the services. Rescuers stayed in contact with him and gave him psychological support until the rescue boat reached the structure. FAKT24 describes the scene as dark, with icy water, and says the man was soaked and exhausted. The Water Rescue Service said the drenched man had held on to the concrete structure, which had become his closest shelter after he fell in.
Rescue and handover
Rescue crews took the man aboard boat R1 and brought him to the bank under the Sikorski Bridge, where he was handed over to an emergency medical team. Radio Wrocław reports that medical aid was given there. Fire, medical and police units all took part in the operation. The reports advise calling 112, or the water rescue line 601 100 100, without delay in any life-threatening situation.
