PHILADELPHIA — The Coast Guard responded to two empty barges adrift Sunday in the Salem River, near the Rt. 49 bridge.
Local police contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, in Philadelphia, at about 10 a.m. and reported the tugboat, Eric R. Thorton, which was pulling two empty barges, ran aground about one mile down-river from the Rt. 49 bridge.
After the tugboat ran aground, the two barges broke free from the tugboat and continued up the Salem River until the barges came to a stop against the Rt. 49 bridge.
A 25-foot Response Boat — Small crew from Coast Guard Station — Small Salem, a Coast Guard Auxiliary boat crew and several local emergency responders responded to the incident.
Once free, the tugboat crew was able to remove the barges and continue to their destination. There is no reported damage to the bridge.
One man who was aboard the tugboat was reported to have an arm injury and was transferred to emergency medical services personnel.
Coast Guard investigators are on scene.