Teen Stuck in Waist-High Mud Rescued by PA Crews

Sept. 9, 2022
Langhorne-Middletown firefighters say the low water level and drought disguised the ground.

Frank Farry has been involved in many incidents in the past 21 years as chief of Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company, but nothing like the one Thursday.

A teen walking near a lake in Bucks County soon found the ground was deceiving. It wasn't solid as usual. A dredging project and the drought teamed up to change things.

Addy Birkenstamm told NBC10 she sunk even further as people tried to help. "It kept sinking...it wasn't like normal mud. It was like quick sand but mud version..."

Firefighters had to carry equipment several hundred yards to reach her. Farry said his department has handled trench rescues, but never had someone stuck in the mud. 

Birkenstamm said she appreciates the firefighters for saving her. She'll be on crutches until her ankle heals.