by BDN Staff

On Sunday evening, September 7, at 6:08 p.m., the Burlington Fire Department responded to a water rescue following multiple 911 calls from residents along Northshore Beach reporting cries for help coming from Lake Champlain.

Emergency units arrived on the scene within four minutes and quickly located four individuals in the water near a swamped boat. The individuals, found standing in shallow water and making their way to shore, did not appear to be in immediate distress.

According to the Burlington Fire Department, three of the individuals had been aboard a small 12-foot Jon Boat when they experienced a motor failure. The boat began taking on water, prompting their calls for help. A fourth person, identified as a Good Samaritan, had entered the water in an effort to assist after hearing the calls from shore.

All four individuals made it safely to land and were evaluated by medical personnel at the scene. No one was transported to the hospital.

Officials credited the rapid and coordinated response to the Burlington Police Department’s Drone Team, which provided aerial support to confirm that no other individuals were in the water and to help locate the swamped vessel. The United States Coast Guard and Colchester Technical Rescue also assisted in the operation.

In a statement following the incident, the Burlington Fire Department reminded the public of key water safety practices.

“The most important action to take if you see someone in distress in the water is to stay where you are and point out the ‘last known location’ to arriving rescuers,” the department said. “We also urge Good Samaritans not to enter the water to assist, as they could become victims themselves.”

No further injuries were reported, and the incident concluded without further complications.