Lebanon Fire District personnel responded Sunday morning, April 6, to the report of the need for a water rescue near Gill’s landing on the South Santiam River.
Upon arrival LFD crewmembers found one person was located standing in ankle- deep water. He was unable to get to dry land due to the rising water levels. LFD personnel reached him using a rescue raft and he was assisted to dry land.
He told rescuers that there was another person who needed help and was unable to get out of the flooded area.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene with a specialty rescue sled. LCSO and a rescue swimmer from LFD performed a search with the rescue sled and located the other person and his dog. Using the rescue sled, they were able to rescue both the second person and the dog.
The area had several tents that were searched and no other people were located.
Crews faced a South Santiam River that was extremely swollen, fast-moving, with a large amount of debris in the water.
Two people were treated by Lebanon Fire and transported to local hospitals. The dog was united with family members and appeared to be unharmed.