09/28/2026
Baugo Township Fire Department Responds to Boat Crash on St. Joseph River
Just before 7:00 p.m. today, Baugo Township Fire Department was dispatched for a reported boat crash on the St. Joseph River.
Due to reports that patients were located on the opposite side of the river, Cleveland Township Fire Department was requested to respond and assist with patient care. Baugo Township deployed our rescue boat, Ladder 191 with water rescue equipment, and an ambulance.
With reports of multiple injuries, Elkhart City Fire Department was requested to provide an additional ambulance. With Baugo deploying our rescue boat, Concord Township Fire Department was also requested to provide a second boat to operate downstream as a safety unit.
Baugo's ambulance repositioned to the opposite side of the river to assist with the patients. Meanwhile, the crew aboard Baugo's rescue boat assisted Cleveland Township crews with moving a patient up the riverbank and to the waiting ambulances.
A total of six patients were evaluated during the incident. Three patients were transported to local hospitals, while three additional patients were treated and released at the scene.
Once all patients had been transferred to EMS crews, Baugo's boat crew worked with the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office and Indiana Department of Natural Resources to remove boat debris from the navigable channel of the river.
We would like to thank Cleveland Township Fire Department, Concord Township Fire Department, Elkhart City Fire Department, the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office, and Indiana DNR for their assistance during this incident.
This incident remains under investigation by the appropriate authorities.