Wednesday December, 31 2025 @ 23:56

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1

Location: 32742 Oak Orchard Rd Millsboro, DE 19966

On Wendesday, New Years Eve, December 31^st, the Indian river (80), Dagsboro (73) and Millsboro (83) fire companies were alerted for a water rescue incident on Orchard Road.  Additional emergency alerts included the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad, the Sussex County Paramedics, and the Delaware State Police – Aviation Unit – Trooper #2. It was reported to be single vehicle incident where a vehicle flew past other vehicles traveling south on Oak Orchard Road and did not stop at the end of the road into the Indian River Bay striking pilings and overturning.

Emergency responses units from Indian River included Recue 80 and Utility 80-8 from the Oak Orchard facility, Brush 80 and 80 Marine 2 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response crew assignments included assistance with patient extrication from vehicle and back onto dry ground, patient stabilization, vehicle stabilization, traffic control and incident mitigation efforts.  Personnel donned water rescue submersible suits and tendered assistance.  Aviation and other mutual aid marine unit responses were cancelled.

It appears that a Honda Civic was traveling on Oak Orchard Road, passing another vehicle, and did not make any effort to stop at the end of Oak Orchard Road.  The vehicle traverse through the private drive area, striking a bulkhead berm and catapulting itself into the Indian River Bay striking pilings before overturning and landing on its roof.  The occupant was transported to nearby medical facilities.  A local towing contractor utilized a rotator truck to assist with extracting the vehicle from the Indian River Bay. This incident occurred at a time during extremely blow-out tidal conditions.

The Delaware State Fire Police coordinated traffic control for the duration of the incident.

The Delaware State Police are investigating.

Additional information may be obtained by viewing:

• WBOC News - https://www.wboc.com/news/new-years-eve-drive-ends-with-crash-into-indian-river-bay/article_a58f37a0-334a-48d1-a388-bf1e43529e36.html

• WGMD News - https://www.wgmd.com/vehicle-crash-and-water-rescue-in-oak-orchard-area-and-indian-river-bay/

• Video by John Kerrigan - fb://shorts/?id=875390418475293&s=search&search_query=john+kerrigan+facebook&search_appending_video_ids&enable_browse_query_chaining=true

• Cape Gazette Newspaper - https://www.capegazette.com/article/car-crashes-indian-river-bay/299786.