A man who was floating the South Santiam River on a tube was rescued Saturday evening by Albany firefighers after he got stranded on an island, Lebanon Fire District reported.
Lebanon firefighters and water rescue technicians responded to the report of a water rescue near the 40000 block of McDowell Creek Drive early Saturday evening.
Initial information stated a male was floating down the river with friends when they were separated. The tubers arrived at their location at Waterloo Park but hadn’t seen the male for several hours. They called 911.
While en route to the location the battalion chief requested a drone from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office to assist in locating the male. Rescuers from Lebanon Fire also flew their drone further upriver to attempt to locate the male. The incident commander also requested a watercraft from Albany Fire Department to aide in the search.
Approximately 20 minutes later the male, whom LFD did not identify, was located upriver from the Waterloo Park by the LCSO drone on an island. The male appeared to be in distress, but after several fly over attempts by the drone the male got up and started walking. The incident commander was able to contact the male on his cell phone and he stated he was uninjured but needed help getting across the river.
Albany Fire’s watercraft made its way upriver to the stranded male. He was retrieved without incident, brought to safety and evaluated by medics at the scene. No injuries were reported. A LCSO log entry noted that the male was “intoxicated” and his float had deflated.
Lebanon Fire District responded to the scene with 12 personnel on 1 heavy rescue, 1 engine, 1 ALS medic unit, 1 rehab unit for fire/rescue personnel and 3 staff vehicles. Lebanon rescuers were assisted by the Albany Fire Department who responded with four rescue swimmers and two watercraft. Linn County Sherriff’s office assisted with the support from dispatchers, drone, and patrol officers.
With warm temperatures forecasted for the upcoming week, the Lebanon Fire District would like to remind citizens about the importance of water safety; especially the importance of wearing a life jacket when in a moving body of water.
As a reminder, the Lebanon Fire District has three life jacket day loaner stations for use along the South Santiam River.
