Wednesday May, 14 2025 @ 22:53

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1

Location: Long Neck Rd and Masseys Lndg., Masseys Landing, DE 19966

On Wednesday evening, May 14^th, the Indian River (80), Millsboro (83) and Dagsboro (73) volunteer fire companies were alerted for a priority water rescue incident at the Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp.  Additional emergency alerts included the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad, the Sussex County Paramedics, the United States Coast Guard – Indian River Squadron, the Delaware State Police, the DNREC – Marine Police as well as a representative from the Delaware State Fire School (DSFS). 

Additional marine and dive team resources were requested from the Millsboro (83), Dagsboro (73), Selbyville (88), Laurel (81), Wicomico County (14) & Sharptown Maryland,  as well as Tow Boat US – Indian River for salvage and recovery operations.  There were approximately 20 divers in the manpower pool awaiting assignments.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Rescue 80, Utility 80 with 80 Marine 1 Incident Command 80 from the Oak Orchard facility and Brush 80 with 80 Marine 2, Engine #80-1 and Chief 80 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response crew assignments included incident evaluation with resource allocation plan, established incident command operations for overall mitigation efforts, scene evaluation and control perimeter access.

It appears that a utility type vehicle (possibly a van) drove off the ramp at the Massey’s Landing Public became submerged in Massey’s Ditch.  It was reported that an occupant was able to exit the vehicle and left the scene. The incident necessitated the establishment and accumulation of necessary resources to fully mitigate the incident which included a search and recovery operation if needed, vehicle extrication (recovery) operation, as well as overall incident mitigation efforts including:  (1) dive operations to check and evaluate vehicle, and (2) vehicle salvage & recovery operations.

The vehicle salvage & recovery operations were deferred until a later time because of the tidal current and conditions and will be coordinated via Tow Boat US.

The Delaware State Fire Police coordinated scene access operations for the duration of the incident.

The DNREC Marine Police and Delaware State Police are investigating.

Additional information will be published upon availability.

Update - Thursday, May 15, 2025

Additional salvage and recovery efforts continued on Thursday morning at the Massey's Landing with the assistance of the Delaware State Police, DNREC - Marine Police and Bunting's Garage.

Additional information may be reviewed via the following websites:

(1) WBOC News - https://www.wboc.com/news/driver-reportedly-escapes-leaves-after-van-submerged-in-massey-s-ditch/article_b4dda5d0-d380-493a-8d0b-c739b4c883bf.html.