$3k of taxpayer down the money to support those nice quiet non-trouble making bird watchers. Just imagine how much it would cost if these fools started flocking to the dunes and wandering out too far

Crews Rescue Bird Watcher From Icy Lake
Wed Mar 5, 8:29 PM ET

A dramatic ice rescue occurred Wednesday morning at Wildwood State Park on the city's east side, according to NewsChannel5's Joe Pagonakis.

Officials said that the man is OK after crews pulled him from the ice shortly before noon.

Crews from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard (news - web sites), the Cleveland Fire Department and the Cleveland Police Department assisted in rescuing the man, who had wandered more than 200 feet away from shore.

He didn't have a boat, a life jacket, a cell phone or even gloves.

The man said he was bird watching and didn't realize he had wandered so far out.

"I just walked out there," he said. "I was just watching birds."

People who go to Wildwood every day saw him on the ice and knew that with all the freezing and thawing the area has had recently that the man was in a precarious situation. They called a park ranger, who immediately called police, fire, and emergency officials.

"I just (saw) him on top of the ice," one witness said. "I reported him to the ranger, but he couldn't get him out -- that's why I called (emergency crews)."

After crews arrived, the man was still wandering around on the ice, continuing to bird watch. Officials started calling out to the man on a bullhorn, telling him to stand still. The man said he then realized he was in a dangerous situation.

Crews risked their lives to go out onto the ice with a boat and rescue him. They brought him back to shore safely.

The man was taken to Euclid Hospital, where it was determined he was not injured.

When it was confirmed he was OK, police put handcuffs on him and took him into custody. The bird watcher faced a possible charge of causing a public nuisance, but NewsChannel5 has learned that charges will likely be dropped.

The rescue cost taxpayers more than $3,000, according to officials.

shall we make a dollar-for-dollar comparison of the impacts on safety personnel, hospitals, police, EMTs between birdwatchers and off-roaders?

Hey. I love watching birds...


Right through the cross hatches of my scope! :whatever: :wink:

Thats an interseting story Jason. I thought birdwatching was non-impact., meaning on the environment as well as public services. It would be interesting to see how much more expensive birdwatching is to the taxpayer than off roading. If you consider the amount of money off roading brings to an economy vrs birdwatching. It's kinda interesting how we are finding all these things about hiking and birdwatching now. All this time we thought off roading was dangerous and taxing on the economy and environment.

Yes Blu , why don't you do that . Also while your at , throw in the amount you wacko's cost us in the false law suites and the damages your kind does when they do their terrorist stuff. Burning peoples Suv's and blowing up things. I sure would like to compare the cost. I bet you , if you could be truthful in your finding would see how much more monies your kind cost the tax payers . I would be ashamed to even claim to be of their kind as you do.

I like watching birds, dead fried ones, going into my KFC bag... Ill take the macaroni cheese too.

RoostKing...

Not to mention the damage they do playing God! Don't forget the Billions of dollars spent to fight the fires that were continually made worse by the G.A.G.s! Yup, the OHV community is the problem! Blu, can you do a study that compares the amount of money spent on repairing the damage done at Glamis in comparison to the amount spent on last summers fires? I'll be willing to bet that those fires alone cost more that the entire amount spent for up-keep, repairs, management and the increased law enforcement in Glamis for the last decade! :x


LIVE FREE OR DIE!

I have recieved medical attention twice out at Glamis. Guess what, it wasn't free.

The citizens of Brawley have a first class hosptial and well trained staff, thanks to the off road community.

Shall we always be a dick?

I think we all know the answer to that one! :x


LIVE FREE OR DIE!