Cincinnati Firefighters Save Girl from Icy Ravine

When Cincinnati firefighters arrived at Bramble Park on Wednesday, they found an 11-year-old girl trapped on a narrow strip of ground between a 20-foot ravine and freezing water below.

The girl, who has autism, had wandered into the dangerous gully. She stood on a path just two feet wide with icy water on one side and a steep embankment on the other.

Lieutenant Collin Grove from Cincinnati Fire Department Rescue 9 knew his team had to move fast. "When we hear somebody's in the water, we're going to step things up a little bit," he said.

Firefighter Taylor Kuhlmann and his crew could see the girl when they arrived, but getting to her safely was the challenge. The combination of freezing temperatures, slick terrain, and limited space made the rescue particularly tricky.

The team carefully descended into the ravine, working together to reach the child without anyone falling into the water. They secured her and brought her back up to solid ground where her worried family waited.

Why This Inspires

Grove's words after the rescue capture why moments like this matter so much. "That's why we do this," he said simply.

For first responders, days can be filled with routine calls and paperwork. But rescues like this one remind them why they chose this path. They train for years to be ready for the exact moment when a child's life depends on their skills and courage.

The girl's autism added another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation. She may not have understood the danger she was in or been able to communicate easily with rescuers. The firefighters adapted their approach to meet her needs while keeping her calm.

Bramble Park will likely see many more families enjoying its trails in the coming months. Thanks to Rescue 9's quick work, this family will get to make those memories together.

The girl went home safe that day, and somewhere in Cincinnati, firefighters are ready for the next call that reminds them exactly why they signed up.