SIX RESCUED ON SANTIAM RIVER

Albany Fire Dept.

Albany Fire’s Water Rescue Team responded to a report of a family in distress on the Santiam River in Jefferson, Oregon, on Wednesday July 27^th at 7:14 P.M. AFD sent two Rescue Water Craft (RWC) and one ambulance with six firefighter/medics to the scene. Two adults and four children were rescued with minor injuries to two crew members. 

AFD entered the Santiam River at I-5 and searched the river east for the family. A kayak with one adult male and three children were located together. The family was secure but only the children were wearing their life vests. Further up-river, crews located a female along a bank with a deep cut-out. There was no way to escape the river here. She was in distress, without a life vest, and clinging to vegetation roots. Firefighters were able to make the grab and secure the women to the RWC. She was safely delivered to the bank.   

The crew continued up-river and found a teen sitting on a strainer, a large tree that “strains” the water around it. Strainers create deadly traps for those using the river for recreation. The child had been thrown a life vest from the bank and was wearing it. The scene was complicated with large tree branches, blackberry bushes and swift water. The crew made the rescue, but the river’s current rolled the vehicle.  Thankfully the child and crew members made it safely to shore with no major injuries.  We currently do not have damage estimates to the RWC. 

This is a serious reminder that river conditions are dangerous for everyone. Emergency responders are highly trained professionals who are prepared. We need your help to keep you and us safe. Take the time to research and understand the area you plan to recreate in. And we cannot emphasize enough, adults and children should always wear their life vests.