Two Charged After Landing at Base of Prettyboy Dam

Tuesday Jul 1st, 2014

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

July 1, 2014 (BALTIMORE, MD) — The Baltimore Environmental Police, a division of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, today charged two men with one count each of criminal trespass in connection with an incident Sunday, June 29, in which the men, who were kayaking at the Prettyboy Dam in Parkton, sustained injuries.

The men, Paul K. Hare (DOB 7/29/1992) and Stephen D. Sparks (DOB 1/28/1993), both of Northern Baltimore County, were found near the dam at 7:35 p.m. by Baltimore Environmental Police Officer Heidi Greenleaf and the Maryland Line Volunteer Fire and EMS. They were responding to a call for assistance that came in 10 minutes earlier.

Mr. Hare was found with a large head laceration and transported to York General Hospital in Pennsylvania. He was treated and released at 1:30 a.m. on June 30, 2014.

Mr. Sparks was found at the base of the dam with a severe head injury, possible broken bones, and possible internal injuries. A technical rescue was put into place with the help of the Baltimore Environmental Police, the Maryland Line Volunteer Fire Company and EMS, Hereford Volunteer Fire Company, and Baltimore County EMS.

He was put in a stokes basket and carried up the cliffside and stairs at Prettyboy Dam to the awaiting Maryland State Police Aviation Unit and transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

An investigation determined that both men were in a No Trespass zone and had been boating without pemits. Alcohol is believed to have been involved.
The rescue operation was completed in approximately two and half hours.

The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a possible sentence of up to 1,000 fine and 1 year in jail. The case is in the jurisdiction of the Towson District Court.

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