THOMASTON — An afternoon of tossing rocks into a Dragon Cement quarry turned into an emergency that drew local firefighters to a string of quarries at the Rockland-Thomaston town line.

Alisha Lynn Penn and her cousin, Trinity Penn, both of Rockland, were exploring the quarries on land owned by Dragon Cement that borders the Rockland Solid Waste Facility property adajacent Old County Road. The old limestone quarries are partially filled with water, edged in some areas by grassy swamp, or by steep granite cliffs.

The Penn cousins had parked their car nearby and were exploring the quarries. While sitting near the top of a 60-feet embankment that Dragon Cement had cleared in order to push debris and fill into one of the quarries, Alisha lost her balance and tumbled down a 60-foot bank of loose gravel and sand.

“It was scary,” she said, after being rescued. “I climbed back up, and then I fell back.”

She landed halfway down the hard scrabble, and lay there, unable and not wanting to repeat that experience.

Her cousin, Trinity, called 911, and before long, Rockland firefighters were on scene. After assessing the situation, a call was made to Thomaston, requesting water assistance with the use of that fire department’s inflatable rescue boat.

As Thomaston firefighters hauled their boat over the rough terrain and down the steep and rocky banks to launch it into the quarry water, Rockland firefighters were stationed at the top of the embankment that Penn had fallen down over.

Rockland firefighter Patrick Lowe rappeled down the steep bank, approximately 30-feet to Penn’s location. He secured her in a harness, helped by Thomaston Fire Lt. Ben Adams, and then lowered her to waiting Thomaston Asst. Chief Jamie Leo, who helped her into the boat.

“It was steep enough that you could not walk down,” said Lowe. “And to the left, it was sheer rock. I put the sling over her arms. She was on her belly, hanging there.”

After loading Penn into the boat, the Thomaston firefighters brought her around to the swampy lowland near to where they had originally launched. A crew of firefighters carried the boat through the grass and up the hill, as Penn walked in front of them.

Aside from being dirty and scared, she was uninjured. She refused transport to a medical facility, deciding instead to go home.

“Time to get home and get a shower,” said her cousin, Trinity.

Rockland firefighters assisting with the rescue included Lowe, Lt. Dennis Camber, paramedic Ben Mullane, Asst. Chief Adam Miceli, Capt. Jeff Benner, firefighters Mike Cole, Mike Root, David Vanorse and Todd Mahar. Asst. Chief Mikial Mazzeo and Chief Charles Jordan were in command.

Thomaston firefighters included Adams, Leo and firefighter Francis Brandon. Thomaston Police Chief Kevin Haj and Patrolman Mike Blais were also assisting on scene.

By 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dragon Cement backhoes were placing rocks near the entrance of their quarry-lined property to discourage parking and trespassing.

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 706-6657.