Crime & Safety

Woman Rescued From Waters Below Purgatory Chasm

The incident was reported by the Middletown Fire Department


The Middletown Fire Department rescued a 22 year-old woman from the waters below Purgatory Chasm Saturday morning after she descended the rocks but was unable to get back up.  She was climbing with a male from Newport who was able to return to the top and call for help, said officials.   While  waiting for rescue, she was able to get out of the water and stand on the small beach below the rocks.

Two firefighters towed a kayak behind the jet ski, in order to reach that area of the water.

One firefighter swam the kayak into chasm to rescue the trapped woman.

They were able to get the woman onto the kayak and bring her onshore.  She transported to the Newport Hospital for mild hypothermia. 

The department conducted a similar rescue last April, after a man and a woman were stuck in the water and on the rocks.  Middletown Fire Chief Ronald Doire said this is a reminder that people should not be climbing at Purgatory Chasm.

 "They go down but they can't get back up," he said "People shouldn't go beyond their abilities."

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