Photo: File Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Monday around 6 p.m. a 911 call came in regarding a male who was in the Clackamas River at Clackamette Park in Oregon City.
Police, Fire and the Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. A witness told 911 operators a male jumped into the river to attempt to retrieve the boat that had floated loose from shore. While on the line with 911 they reported a second male had jumped in to assist as well. The first male was swimming towards the boat but appeared to be struggling in the water. The second male was able to make it to the boat and pull himself aboard. He grabbed the first male but was unable to pull him from the water.
When rescue boats arrived on scene the male in the boat was still holding onto the male in the water, at times his head was going below the surface. Rescue boat operators were able to grab a hold of the male in the water and pull him onto their boat. He was then driven back to the boat ramp and treated by AMR. This male was transported to the hospital in serious condition.
They then transported the other male to shore and he was treated at the scene by AMR and released with no injuries.
Both males are in their 60's and not local to the area. The male who was transported to the hospital was reported to be conscious and alert.
Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium units that responded to the scene were from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Clackamas Fire, Gladstone Fire, AMR, and Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. The Water Rescue Consortium recommends anyone around water to always wear a personal floatation device.