Accident Database

Report ID#66147

2025-07-04
accident date
Unidentified People
victim
n/a
victim age
Swatara Creek
river
n/a
section
Near Hershey, PA
location
2.7' at Harper Tavern PA
gage
Medium
water level
I
river difficulty
Pinned in Boat Against Strainer
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Inexperience
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

FD: Five people rescued from Swatara Creek in Dauphin County WGAL News 8 Jul 4, 2025 DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Multiple people were rescued from Swatara Creek after their water vehicles became caught in a debris pile. According to the Hershey Volunteer Company, multiple crews responded near the railroad bridge in Derry Township for reports of people in distress on the water. Upon arrival, the Hershey Fire Department used a drone to locate the victims by sight. Four inner tubes and a kayak had gotten stuck behind the debris. The fire company says one person had climbed onto the pile while the rest floated downstream. Mutual aid units from the Lower Swatara Township and Hummelstown fire departments, along with River Rescue, took all victims onto their boats. At the scene, all victims were evaluated by EMS crews before being taken to a nearby hospital. The Hershey FD emphasized that all five were wearing personal flotation devices.