Savannah firefighter Michael Curry dies rescuing victims from river

SAVANNAH, GA  - The city of Savannah is mouing after a firefighter died while rescuing dozens of people who had fell into the Savannah River.

According to a statement from Savannah Fire Department, Master Firefighter Michael Curry, a 13-year veteran of the Savannah Fire Department died Saturday afteoon after suffering a "medical condition" during the rescue on River Street. Curry was one of the first responders helping to rescue dozens of people clinging to a broken dock ramp that suddenly gave way.

Fire officials said 30 people were hurt in the collapse. Thirteen of them were transported to the hospital for treatment. All other injuries appeared to be minor, officials said.

Michael Curry

Curry was a veteran firefighter and was dedicated to his son’s scout pack.

A scholarship fund has been set up for his eight-year-old.

Everyone who fell into the water is accounted for. Metro Police tweeted that all injuries were minor. Around 50 people managed to cling to the broken ramp.

"We started to walk back and it just collapsed and I honestly thought that I was dying. I was trying to get out of the water and then I saw my friend Caroline and I was just so happy that I saw her, so I grabbed her hand and told her to get on this mount because I saw my sister Katie," said Shelby Duncan. "I was like just get up here and somebody pulled me out and then we looked for our other friends and we found them and luckily we were all together."

Savannah Fire Department, US Coast Guard, Chatham Marine Patrol, Savannah-Chatham Metro Police and Southside Fire Department all responded.

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