Binghamton Emergency Response Prompted by State Police Dive Team

An apparent case of miscommunication prompted Binghamton police and fire units to race to check out a report of a person in need of help in the Susquehanna River.

The false alarm occurred early this week. Police officers and firefighters were dispatched to the Tompkins Street bridge just before 3 p.m. Monday for a possible river rescue.

Someone had spotted a person in the water near the bridge south of Court Street.

The emergency responders were advised that New York State Police had planned to conduct a diving operation in the area.

Shortly after the police and fire units arrived at the bridge, a diver surfaced and assured everyone that he was fine.

Members of the state police detail working in the river didn't have much to say when they encountered a reporter.

The following day, the state police posted a bit of information and a few pictures online about the Binghamton operation.

A social media post noted the underwater recovery team "is prepared for anything!"

The agency stated the unit conducted dive operations in the Susquehanna "with a frigid water temperature of 46 degrees!"

VIDEO: Emergency personnel on the Tompkins Street bridge on November 13, 2023.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.