On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 2:12 pm, the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad, Kent County EMS, Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company, Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched for the “Ice Rescue” near 23766 Land’s End Road, in the East Fork of Langford Bay. A hunter in a kayak had experienced a failure of the mooring to his duck blind. Powerful northwest winds subsequently propelled him across the ice, out into the middle of the East Fork, Langford Creek. Our hunter was secure in his kayak but was not equipped to propel himself safely across the ice to get to shore.
Initially, the call was dispatched to Broadneck Landing, at the end of Broad Neck Road (Maryland 446). However, it was quickly determined our subject was closer to the Quaker Neck side of East Fork, Langford Creek, off Land’s End Road. All responding units were diverted to that location.
Chestertown VFC Deputy Chief 6 / Brad Russum, spoke with the subject by cellphone to ascertain his condition and try to further pin down his exact location. This was needed to bring resources to the shoreline immediately adjacent to our hunter. Deputy Chief 6 directed our subject to recontact 9-1-1 and stay on the line with them. This was so RapidSOS Cell 9-1-1 mapping technology could triangulate his position. Kent County 9-1-1 / Public Safety Dispatch captured his location with a screen shot and texted it to Deputy Chief 6.
Using this image, Deputy Chief 6 was than able to determine exactly where on the shoreline rescue resources needed to be. Looking at the image, you’ll notice our access point was diagonal and further away than the closest shoreline point. Ground reconnaissance determined the closest point was rugged and inaccessible because of ground cover and foliage.
The closest point non - 4-wheel drive vehicles could access was the farmhouse. First arriving crews, without 4WD service, had to transit the field (nearly 650’) on foot carrying rescue gear. Because of the heavy, smooth glaze of ice and the terrain incline, several emergency personnel fell. Thankfully, there were no injuries other than personal pride. With the arrival of 4WD vehicles (Chestertown VFC utility truck & Rock Hall VFC brush truck) the need to transit the distance on foot was eliminated.
In the interest of time, just in case a shoreline-based rescue proved not feasible, Deputy Chief 6 called for Maryland State Police Aviation for a hoist operation. Trooper 3 (Frederick) was dispatched with a 40-minute ETA. Just in case Trooper 3 could not complete the hoist, Syscom (the statewide EMS communications / operations center) also requested a helicopter out of U.S. Coast Guard – Atlantic City (New Jersey) with a 60-minute ETA. Fortunately, we were able to complete the extrication from shore long before they arrived. Both aviation assets were canceled.
Once emergency personnel arrived on the shoreline, it was determined the fastest, safest option was a shore-based approach. The RapidSOS graphic shows our hunter was about 355’ from Hawbush Point. However, subsequent experience on this incident shows from our access point, the distance was approximately equidistant… probably about 350’. One of our firefighters donned a Survival – Immersion Suit and entered onto the ice with a Rescue Rope. To disperse his weight across the ice, he crawled the 350’, dragging the Rescue Rope behind him. It took three Rope Rescue bags of varying length to complete the stretch. (In case our rescuer ran into trouble, we had two more emergency personnel already suited up in Survival – Immersion Suits.) Once our rescuer got close, our hunter passed a rope, which was promptly secured. The rescuer radioed back they were ready, whereupon shore-based personnel hauled them in. We are delighted to report both hunter and rescuer were uninjured. Though dressed for the weather, our hunter was a little chilled from extended exposure to the fierce, relentless cold wind. He was transported to the University of Maryland-Shore Medical Center at Chestertown for evaluation. We do not know his subsequent status, though we’re sure he’s fine.
Though we regularly train with the Survival – Immersion Suits and Ice Rescue procedures, this incident marks the first time they’ve been needed. We’re proud and delighted to report this incident as a complete success.
There were a total of 31 emergency responders, which includes two law enforcement deputies from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.
There were no injuries to emergency personnel.
Media may use photographs with attribution.
(Note there is video, but Facebook is not allowing us to post it, for whatever reason. We'll keep trying. Check back!)
Chestertown VFC
Rock Hall VFC
Kennedyville VFC
Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad
Kent County EMS
Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Maryland State Police Aviation - Frederick
United States Coast Guard Aviation – Atlantic City
