Latest news with #CuyahogaFallsFireDepartment
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
Tubing company responds to public backlash following June 21 Cuyahoga River tragedy
As the Cuyahoga Falls community mourns the June 21 river incident, which resulted in the death of 5-year-old Braxton Cross and his 27-year-old father, one local company has reportedly faced public backlash for accusations of being involved in the tragic accident. "We honestly didn't want to make this post. Our hearts are heavy for the family and friends affected by the recent tragedy on the river, and we've been trying to stay focused on that," Float the River, the Cuyahoga Falls-based tube and kayak rental company said on Facebook. "But after receiving hundreds of threatening messages, comments, calls, and emails suggesting that Float the River was involved, we feel it's necessary to clarify." Braxton, his father and his mother and brother went tubing down the Cuyahoga River near the Portage Trail Bridge when the tubes they were floating on capsized. Braxton's father was able to save his mother and brother before he and his father disappeared beneath the river. Despite some thinking otherwise, Float the River did not rent out the inflatable tubes that led to Braxton and his father's deaths, the company noted. "We were not open this past weekend, at all. Nobody on the river last weekend were our customers. We had already canceled all floats ahead of time due to unsafe, high water conditions," the company wrote. "The decision to close was made before the weekend even began, not in response to the tragic events that followed." The Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department has resumed its search as of 8:30 a.m. June 24 along the Cuyahoga River near Gorge Metro Park, the City of Cuyahoga Falls said in a release. The fire department deployed a number of resources in its search for the missing father on June 24, including about 40 search and rescue personnel, three boats, two drones and assistance from both the Summit County Incident Management Assistance Team and the Salvation Army. "We are attacking the main parts where most of these incidents occur, and we are going to the areas that seem less likely, but we are checking every nook and cranny," Cuyahoga Falls firefighter Daniel Pittman said during a June 23 press conference. The dropping water level was expected to aid in the search, Pittman said. Water levels were near 8 feet on June 22 but have since dropped to 4 feet, however, "(the river) remains extremely fast-moving and dangerous," the city said June 24. "Things that were inaccessible (June 22) are absolutely accessible (June 23)," Pittman said. "We've gone further up-river (June 23) and we have located more high hazard areas since the water has gone down." River safety: Cuyahoga River can be unpredictable; here's how to plan for a safe paddle or float Braxton's body was recovered the morning of June 22. Multiple agencies have provided assistance to the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, including Akron Fire, the Summit County Water Rescue Team, Metro Parks Rangers, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@ or on Twitter @athompsonABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Float the River receives threats after Cuyahoga River tragedy
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Child's body recovered, search ongoing for man in Cuyahoga River after inflatable inner tube capsizes
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (WJW) – The body of a 5-year-old boy was recovered from the Cuyahoga River Sunday and search operations are still underway for his father after they went under the water while on an inflatable inner tube Saturday evening. The child's body was pulled from the water just before 9:30 a.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Cuyahoga Falls officials said, and his body was taken to the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office. The boy's identity and cause of death will be released at a later time. Water quality predicted to be 'poor' at 1 NE Ohio beach Sunday Boats, drones and divers were actively searching the area for the father Sunday afternoon. 'Our thoughts are with the family during this tragic time,' a Sunday afternoon news release from the City of Cuyahoga Falls stated. 'The Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, along with our county partners, remain committed to continuing search efforts throughout the day.' Just after 6:45 Saturday evening, the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department was dispatched to the Cuyahoga River south of Broad Boulevard following a report of a capsized 'flotation device.' 'Upon arrival, fire and rescue personnel initiated a coordinated search operation. Units deployed both watercraft and ground personnel to assess the scene and locate any individuals in distress,' a Sunday morning news release from the City of Cuyahoga Falls stated. According to a Saturday night news release from the Akron Police Department, the Akron Fire Dive Team was called to the scene just after 7:50 p.m. after it was reported that a man and a child were in the water after their kayak capsized near the Sheraton Heading. 'It was confirmed that the two persons were on an inflatable flotation device, not in a kayak as previously reported,' the updated report from Akron Fire stated. Cuyahoga Falls Fire, Akron Fire Department, the Summit County Water Rescue Team, Metro Parks Rangers, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol were all involved in the search. Rescue efforts were suspended just before 10 p.m. Saturday due to darkness and hazardous river conditions. Crews resumed their search just before 8 a.m. Sunday. 'River levels remain extremely high, and several areas are still difficult or impossible to access safely,' a news release stated. 'An awful tragedy': Cleveland police recruit dies following medical emergency during training A post on the Cuyahoga Falls Facebook page asked residents to avoid the area of the Cuyahoga River between Broad Blvd. and Gorge Metro Park. 'Trained rescue teams and aerial support are on scene. For your safety and to support the ongoing efforts, please do not attempt river access in this area and respect all 'Trail Closed' signs,' the post states. Authorities in Cuyahoga Falls and with the Metroparks are also urging people to use caution when entering the river at any point, and to stay out of fast moving currents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
