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CBS News
27-06-2025
- CBS News
Body of missing 55-year-old fisherman found days after disappearance in Youghiogheny River
The body of a missing fisherman has been found, according to police. Connellsville police told KDKA-TV that the body of 55-year-old Jerry Grimm was found in Dawson, Pa. Search crews began looking for Grimm on Wednesday night when he was first reported missing after he went wading into the Youghiogheny River. Witnesses told police that they had lost sight of Grimm when he went around a bend, and that is where first responders and search parties focused their search this week. "Witnesses described the male being in one position, and then essentially started to move down river, and unfortunately, with the way that the river flows, there's a bend when it reaches the Crawford Avenue Bridge, and they unfortunately lost sight of him at that point," Connellsville Police Sergeant Bryan Kendi said. On Wednesday, crews utilized boats, divers, and air support to search for Grimm. The search was expected to continue on Thursday, but according to the New Haven Hose Company and Connellsville Police, they made the decision to suspend the search, saying that Wednesday's search yielded no results or sightings. Risks on the Yough River Prior to Grimm's disappearance, public safety officials had been warning people to exercise caution on the Yough River. Just over a week ago, an experienced kayaker drowned in the Yough River. And earlier this month, three kayakers also had to be rescued when water levels were even higher. "Weeks previous to this, we've had a lot of rain. The occupancy dam is just a few miles up the river. They are letting water out. It's causing the current to increase. And even though it's a nice sunny day, the water is up. The current is moving faster than normal, and it becomes a hazard for anybody who's going to go into this water," Kendi said.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- CBS News
Search for missing fisherman along the Yough River to continue on Thursday
A family is holding out hope that their loved one will be found alive. A man was fishing along the Yough River in Connellsville when he disappeared. On Thursday, activity will pick back up along the river after yesterday, when there were search crews on the ground as well as in the air. They're still looking for 55-year-old Jerry Grimm, and crews have been using boats, divers, and helicopters in the search effort. It all started on Tuesday night when New Haven Hose Company's fire chief got a 911 call around 9 p.m. about a fisherman who had gone missing in the river. Connellsville Police Sergeant Bryan Kendi said Grimm was last seen near the Crawford Avenue Bridge. They were able to make that assessment from the people who had last seen him. "Witnesses described the male being in one position, and then essentially started to move down river, and unfortunately, with the way that the river flows, there's a bend when it reaches the Crawford Avenue Bridge, and they unfortunately lost sight of him at that point," Kendi said. Now, Kendi added that crews are focusing their search around that area, where Grimm went around the bend. Meanwhile, public safety officials have been warning people to exercise caution on the Yough River prior to Grimm's disappearance. Especially because the rivers and rapids that run through Ohiopyle are up nearly four feet. Just over a week ago, an experienced kayaker drowned in the Yough River. And earlier this month, three kayakers also had to be rescued when water levels were even higher. These crews have been busy, and the spike in heat certainly has not helped. Connellsville's mayor posted on social media about the conditions on Wednesday night, but added that they'll be right back at it this morning to figure out the next steps.
CBS News
25-06-2025
- CBS News
Search for missing fisherman underway along Youghiogheny River
Crews are searching for a fisherman who went missing along the Youghiogheny River. Connellsville Mayor Greg Lincoln said in a Facebook post that the fisherman was reported missing on Wednesday night along the Yough River. Several swift water rescue teams will be coming out to help the New Haven Hose Company and the Connellsville Police Department on Wednesday, Lincoln said. Crews will use sonar equipment to search the river, which recent heavy rains have made potentially dangerous. Officials have been warning people to be cautious on the Yough River. The rivers and rapids that run through Ohiopyle State Park are up almost four feet from their normal two-foot summer level. An experienced kayaker was killed on the river just over a week ago. Earlier this month, three kayakers also had to be rescued when water levels were even higher. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
CBS News
03-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
First responders share warning after 3 kayakers rescued from Youghiogheny River
First responders are warning people to check the water before they get in after three kayakers were pulled out of the Youghiogheny River. The Yough River on Tuesday was over 6 feet high and experts say no one should be on it until it drops to 4 feet. Three people are considered lucky to be alive after their kayaks overturned and they struggled to stay afloat in the turbulent water of the Yough River. "It could have very easily been a tragedy here today," said Assistant Fire Chief Sam Spotto with the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Company. A nearby fisherman heard their pleas for help and called 911. "The conditions were worse than they thought it was going to be when they left home this morning. But they decided it was still within what they could do," Spotto said. "They ended up, because of the swift current this morning, really far down around the bend, probably almost a half a mile from here," Spotto added. The New Haven Hose Company responded and launched their water rescue boat. The crew was able to quickly locate the woman and two teen boys, who were wearing life jackets, and bring them safely to shore. "This river is nothing to be fooled with," Spotto said. "The conditions this morning were even worse than now, the water was much faster and a darker color that limited visibility." Spotto says this incident is a reminder for folks to know their surroundings and check water conditions before getting on the river. "When the water levels are high and the speed of the water is quick, a lot of caution needs to be taken," Spotto said. "When the water is this high, it can be quite violent," he added. Spotto adds that there's a saying people who use the river for recreation should follow: "If it's brown, don't go down."
