Water Rescue turns into Recovery Effort

Mid-Town – July 3, 2001

Evans Center's Water Rescue Team was the first of what would become many units dispatched to search for and recover the body of an 18 year old Cheektowaga man.

Crews manned Engines 1 and 2 and responded with Evans Center's Marine 1 Zodiac Swift Water Rescue Boat to the shores of Lake Erie at Snyder Beach on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation around 5:30pm on Sunday, July 1.

Two teenage girls and an 18 year old boy were reportedly using an inner-tube in an attempt to get to shore when rolling waves took the young man under. The young women made it to the beach with the help of a jet-skier, but their male companion did not resurface.

Evans Center remained on location with other crews until the search was called off at dusk around 9:30pm. The recovery resumed around 9am the next morning. At around 7:30pm Monday evening, divers found the young man just offshore from where he had gone under.

According to the Buffalo News, the young man was identified as Jason Tymorek of Cheektowaga. Sources on scene indicated that Jason was a volunteer firefighter with the Forks Fire District. Hundreds of volunteer firefighters attended the wake and funeral, including some from Evans Center.

Rescue crews included the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation Volunteer Fire Department, Farnham Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Erie Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Town of Hamburg Water Rescue Unit, the Ellicott Creek and East Amherst Volunteer Fire Companies from Amherst, Vigilant Fire Company from West Seneca, Forks Fire Department in Cheektowaga, Erie County Sheriffs Department and the Chautauqua County Water Rescue/Dive Team. 

Evans Center was assisted at the scene by the Town of Evans Police Department and Angola Fire Control Dispatch Center.

Firefighting is not for everyone – but volunteering can be. Evans Center offers limited duty memberships in the areas of Fire/Rescue only, Fire Police only, Emergency Medical Services Only, Water Rescue only, or Associate only.  Associate members support the fire department through administrative, technology, fund-raising, clerical and other non-emergency business functions.

If you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact the Evans Center Fire Company at 716/549-1221 or fill our our feedback form or e-mail to: info@ecvfc.org