Latest news with #TaskForce1
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
US Coast Guard rescue swimmer hailed as a hero after saving 165 kids from Texas flooding
By Zoe Sottile , CNN Scott Ruskan was deployed to Camp Mystic, where flooding killed 27 campers and counsellors. Photo: CNN via CNN Newsource It was Petty Officer Scott Ruskan's first mission as a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The 26-year-old was new to the Coast Guard. He had left a previous career as an accountant before enlisting, and had graduated from rescue swimming school around six months ago when his team got the call from Task Force 1, a local search-and-rescue team in Texas, early Friday morning (US time). They were needed urgently in central Texas where torrential flooding had struck over the July Fourth weekend. Dozens of people were dead, and more were missing. The team deployed around 7am Friday from Corpus Christi, about 200 miles (321km) south of where the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, had risen from about 3 feet (0.9m) to nearly 30 feet (9.1m). Floodwaters in the area had swept through and battered several youth camps on the river banks - including Camp Mystic, the summer camp where they were headed. Around 200 campers at the all-girls Christian camp needed to be rescued, Ruskan said. With bridges and roadways overcome by floodwaters and the water too high for boat rescues, the only option was to airlift the girls. Counsellors and staff at Camp Mystic had been scrambling to rescue campers, pushing some through cabin windows and putting children on mattresses to help float on the rising water. More than a month's worth of rain dumped on the area, and floodwaters overtook the site. Hundreds of local, state and national first responders had surged to the Kerrville area to help find and rescue survivors. The ongoing urgent response includes Black Hawk helicopters deployed by the Texas National Guard and Air National Guard. What should have been a one-hour flight into the landing zone near the camp took about six or seven hours, Ruskan told CNN. The crew battled "some pretty, pretty nasty weather," he told CNN, some of the worst he had experienced in his career. It took the team four attempts and the help of the Air National Guard for the aircraft to make its way through the brutal storm, he said. From above, he could see firsthand the devastating flood and its effects on the landscape. "I've never seen anything this tragic in my life," he said. On the ground, Ruskan realized he was the only first responder around and was met with "about 200 kids, mostly all scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their life". But after arriving at Camp Mystic, Ruskan said, the crew was needed at another, more dangerous location. The aircraft could fit more people at the next site without him onboard, and Ruskan could help where he was. The crew decided leaving him behind at Camp Mystic as a triage coordinator at the "hectic" site was the best option. They were ultimately able to airlift 15 children at the other location without Ruskan on the aircraft. At the camp, Ruskan comforted the distressed children gathered into an area above the flood zone, and heard stories from camp counsellors who rushed to push campers out the door before cabins flooded. Some kids had cuts on their feet because they were barefoot. They didn't have time to put on shoes before they scrambled to safety. For around three hours, Ruskan said, he was the only rescuer on site and had no communication due to poor radio reception and no cell service. But any fear he had, he pushed aside to focus on his young charges. "They're having probably the worst day of their life. They're missing friends. They're missing loved ones," he said. "They don't know where they are. Some of them may be unaccounted for. Some of them may be somewhere else." He did his best to reassure the shell-shocked campers, promising he would get them out and that other rescuers were looking for their missing friends. Comfort "could be something as simple as holding their hand," he added. Texas Air National Guard aircraft landed at the camp's archery field and soccer field, and Ruskan led the children, about 10 to 15 at a time, to the aircraft. He focused on getting the youngest children out first. Ruskan helped rescue approximately 165 campers with him, carrying some to the helicopter to help them avoid slipping on wet rocks or cutting their feet even more. Despite rescuers' best efforts, 27 of the girls' Camp Mystic friends and counsellors died in the catastrophic floods, and 10 campers and one counsellor are still unaccounted for. The camp's longtime director Dick Eastman also died, trying to rescue campers. At least 100 people have died from the devastating floods. Ruskan said the magnitude of his effort had just started to sink in. The rescue swimmer has been hailed as an "American hero" by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency lauded the "extraordinary bravery and selfless service of Ruskan and his fellow first responders." But he said the other counsellors who helped rescue efforts and the tough kids were also heroes. Seeing how bravely they acted, he said, "it made me a better rescuer." - CNN
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania deploys rescue team to Texas amid deadly floods
(WHTM) — Gov. Josh Shapiro has activated Pennsylvania Task Force 1 to aid in recovery efforts after devastating floods in Texas. The governor made the announcement Monday, as the death toll from floods topped 100 people. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'These brave Pennsylvanians will be departing in the next 24 hours to support Texans in the aftermath of this horrific event,' Shapiro said in a statement. The task force, which is a part of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System, can be deployed to disaster areas to provide assistance in structural collapse rescue. Around 70 wild animals rescued amid Texas flooding While based in Philadelphia, the task force is supported by agencies state-wide. Its 70 members specialize in search, rescue, medicine, hazardous materials, logistics and planning. Between 2015 and 2021, it supported at least 19 missions across the country, mostly involving hurricanes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
US Coast Guard rescue swimmer hailed as a hero after saving 165 kids from Texas flooding
It was Scott Ruskan's first mission as a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The 26-year-old had graduated from rescue swimming school around six months ago when his team got the call from Task Force 1, a local search-and-rescue team in Texas, early Friday morning. They were needed urgently in central Texas where torrential flooding had struck over the July Fourth weekend. Dozens of people were dead, and more were missing. The team deployed around 7 a.m. Friday from Corpus Christi, about 200 miles south of where the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, had risen from about 3 feet to nearly 30 feet. Floodwaters in the area had swept through and battered several youth camps on the river banks — including Camp Mystic, the summer camp where they were headed. Around 200 campers at the all-girls Christian camp needed to be rescued, Ruskan said. With bridges and roadways overcome by floodwaters and the water too high for boat rescues, the only option was to airlift the girls. Counselors and staff at Camp Mystic had been scrambling to rescue campers, pushing some through cabin windows and putting children on mattresses to help float on the rising water. More than a month's worth of rain dumped on the area, and floodwaters overtook the site. Hundreds of local, state and national first responders had surged to the Kerrville area to help find and rescue survivors. The ongoing urgent response includes Black Hawk helicopters deployed by the Texas National Guard and Air National Guard. What should have been a one-hour flight into the landing zone near the camp took about seven or eight hours, Ruskan told ABC's Good Morning America. The crew battled 'some pretty, pretty nasty weather,' he told CNN, some of the worst he had experienced in his career. It took the team four attempts and the help of the Air National Guard for the aircraft to make its way through the brutal storm, he said. On the ground, Ruskan realized he was the only first responder around and was met with 'about 200 kids, mostly all scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their life.' But after arriving at Camp Mystic, Ruskan said, the crew was needed at another, more dangerous location. The aircraft could fit more people at the next site without him onboard, and Ruskan could help where he was. The crew decided leaving him behind at Camp Mystic as a triage coordinator at the 'hectic' site was the best option. They were ultimately able to airlift 15 children at the other location without Ruskan on the aircraft. At the camp, Ruskan comforted the distressed children, and heard stories from camp counselors who rushed to push campers out the door before cabins flooded. Some kids had cuts on their feet because they were barefoot. They didn't have time to put on shoes before they scrambled to safety. For around three hours, Ruskan said, he had no communication due to poor radio reception. But any fear he had, he pushed aside to focus on his young charges. 'They're having probably the worst day of their life. They're missing friends. They're missing loved ones,' he said. 'They don't know where they are. Some of them may be unaccounted for. Some of them may be somewhere else.' When the army helicopters were ready to take them to higher ground, Ruskan led the children, about 10 to 15 at a time, to the aircraft, he told ABC. Ruskan helped rescue all 165 campers with him, carrying some to the helicopter to help them avoid slipping on wet rocks or cutting their feet even more. But 27 of the girls' Camp Mystic friends and counselors died in the catastrophic floods, and 10 campers and one counselor are still unaccounted for. The camp's longtime director Dick Eastman also died, trying to rescue campers. At least 95 people have died from the devastating floods. Ruskan has been hailed as an 'American hero' by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency lauded the 'extraordinary bravery and selfless service of Ruskan and his fellow first responders.' But he said the other counselors who helped rescue efforts and the tough kids were also heroes. Seeing how bravely they acted, he said, 'it made me a better rescuer.' CNN's Boris Sanchez, Betsy Klein, Alex Stambaugh, Lauren Mascarenhas, Isaac Yee, and Josh Campbell contributed to this report.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai-Cambodian troops clash in early morning gunfire at Chong Bok border
BANGKOK: A source from the Thai border security agency at Chong Bok, in Ubon Ratchathani province reported that a clash occurred between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at 5.45am on Wednesday (May 28). The area remains an undemarcated border zone with overlapping territorial claims by both countries. Both Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to maintain the "status quo" in this area to avoid destabilising the border, prohibiting any actions that alter facts on the ground, such as construction, troop movements, or digging, without prior notification. At 5.45am, Thai forces detected Cambodian troop movements and preparations to establish a position in an area claimed by Thailand, potentially violating the agreement. Thai troops, from Task Force 1 of the Suranaree Command, responded by deploying forces to investigate, which led to a brief clash. The Thai personnel were conducting routine patrol and coordination duties with no intent to assert sovereignty or provoke the neighbouring country. The incident was caused by a misjudgment on the ground and was quickly resolved without any injuries reported. Following the incident, Maj Gen Thol Sovann, Deputy Commander of Cambodia's 3rd Support Brigade, contacted the Deputy Commander of Thailand's Suranaree Task Force by phone. They successfully agreed to end the confrontation by 5.55am. 'A joint bilateral mechanism is currently engaged in discussions to peacefully resolve the overlapping territorial claims and establish a shared framework for future conduct,' a source said. All Thai personnel are safe, and the situation remains under close control. The Royal Thai Army is committed to peaceful solutions and values the strong relationship with Cambodia, coordinating cooperation at all levels to maintain border stability and peace for the people of both countries. 'The army urges the media and public to rely on official information sources and refrain from sharing unverified images or details, which could cause misunderstandings or harm bilateral relations. 'The Thai border represents sovereignty and peace — principles we must uphold through mutual understanding and cooperation,' the source added. - The Nation/ANN
Fox News
28-04-2025
- Fox News
Soft vine-like robot helps rescuers find survivors
When disaster strikes and buildings collapse, every second counts for emergency responders searching for survivors trapped beneath rubble. Traditional tools often fall short in these dangerous, chaotic environments, but a new breed of robot, SPROUT, is poised to make a life-saving difference. Join the FREE "CyberGuy Report": Get my expert tech tips, critical security alerts and exclusive deals, plus instant access to my free "Ultimate Scam Survival Guide" when you sign up! SPROUT, short for Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit, is a flexible, vine-like robot developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame. Unlike rigid robots or static cameras, SPROUT can "grow" into tight, winding spaces that are otherwise inaccessible, giving first responders a new way to explore, map and assess collapsed structures. SPROUT is made of an airtight fabric tube that inflates with air, allowing it to extend from a fixed base. As it grows, it can flex around corners and squeeze through narrow gaps, mimicking the movement of a plant vine. Operators control SPROUT using a joystick, steering it through debris while watching a live video feed from a camera mounted at the tip. This setup lets responders see and map hidden void spaces without entering dangerous areas themselves. Three pouch motors along the vine's length enable SPROUT to bend and turn, while an internal reel system allows the robot to be compactly stored and precisely deployed as needed. In addition to cameras, SPROUT can carry other sensors to image, map and even assess hazards within the collapsed structure. Traditional search-and-rescue gear, such as rigid robots or specialized cameras, struggles in disaster zones for several reasons. Cameras can only probe straight paths, often requiring teams to cut new access holes to see further into the rubble. Rigid robots are prone to damage in unstable, cramped environments and are expensive to repair. Manual probing is time-consuming and physically exhausting for responders. SPROUT's soft, flexible design directly addresses these challenges, offering a safer, faster and more adaptable solution for navigating the unpredictable landscape of collapsed buildings. SPROUT has already been put through its paces at the Massachusetts Task Force 1 training site, where it demonstrated its ability to flex around corners and penetrate void spaces in engineered collapsed structures. These tests allowed the team to refine SPROUT's durability, portability and steering controls, with plans for larger field studies underway. The project is a true collaboration, pairing MIT's engineering expertise with Professor Margaret Coad's pioneering work on vine robots at Notre Dame. This partnership has accelerated SPROUT's development, bringing hands-on demonstrations to first responders, many of whom have limited research and development budgets. The team behind SPROUT is continuously working to expand its capabilities. Current models can extend up to 10 feet, with future versions aiming to reach beyond 25 feet. Researchers are also exploring the use of multiple SPROUT robots to cover larger areas and expedite rescue operations in major disasters. Beyond disaster response, the technology could be adapted for inspecting military systems or critical infrastructure in hard-to-reach places, making SPROUT a versatile tool for a variety of high-stakes scenarios. SPROUT is a remarkable example of how soft robotics can make a real difference in some of the most challenging and dangerous situations. By giving first responders a flexible, easy-to-use tool for searching through rubble, SPROUT has the potential to save lives and change the way we approach disaster rescue. It's great to see technology that's not just innovative but truly impactful, helping those who help others when it matters most. How do you feel about robots being used to explore dangerous places where people can't easily go? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
