Not your average rescue in Dodge County

We recently had one of the most unique and challenging first responder rescues I can ever remember here in Dodge County, reminding us once again how amazing the men and women are who serve here.
A 69-year-old male citizen had fallen down a 30–40-foot Zumbro River cliff on his property landing on the limestone riverbank below. His wife called in the accident and our deputies responded along with members of the Dodge Center Fire Department and Dodge Center Ambulance Service.
Deputies had to hold on to a rope while working their way down the rocky banks to get down to the river bottom, and then across 50-75 yards of rough terrain to get to the victim, who amazingly was conscious and initially reporting an ankle injury.
Deputies then deployed our Polaris Ranger with the rescue unit on the back (designed and built by L&L Streetrods in Kasson) while Dodge Center Fire brought their inflatable boat. Mantorville Fire was also on the scene assisting as rescuers lowered the boat, rescue basket, blankets and other rescue/medical gear to the responders below. Once they got the victim in the rescue basket, and then in the boat, two Dodge Center Firemen walked the boat across the river and pushed it up to the bank on the other side where it was connected to the winch of the Ranger and pulled into the rescue unit by responders.
After over an hour of working thru the challenges of this rescue, they were able to get the victim to the ambulance and transported to the hospital. He is now recovering at home with multiple internal injuries but is expected to make a full recovery. This was possible with the quick thinking of some really incredible men and women serving here at the Sheriff’s Office and with the Dodge Center and Mantorville Fire Departments. In addition, our 911 Emergency Dispatchers did an amazing job helping to locate the victim, getting the proper help coming, and keeping the communication flowing flawlessly.
Here in Dodge County, we don’t have a lake, we don’t have a stop light and we don’t usually have rescues like this. While our law enforcement and fire departments train for all types of rescues, often for emergencies that we hope and pray will never happen, I’m not sure a cliff-side rescue was on the list.
This incident was another great reminder of the amazing men and women we have serving here in Dodge County. We know these heroes could go anywhere to work, yet they’ve chosen to serve here, and we never want to take that for granted.
Thank you to all our first responders here in Dodge County for all you do!
Your Sheriff,
Scott