Lebanon firefighters and water rescue technicians responded shortly after noon Saturday, July 23, to the report of a water rescue near the 40000 block of McDowell Creek Drive, near Bates Bridge.
A news release from LFD did not indicate the time of the rescue, but the Linn County Sheriff’s log reported a water rescue in that location at 12:40 p.m.
According to initial information, an unidentified man flipped from his inflatable water tube and went underwater.
First-arriving responders were able to make contact with the victim, who made it to the river bank with the help of bystanders. However, a team of three technicians and three operations personnel performed a rescue due to his inability to navigate the riverbank’s steep terrain.
The rescue used a mechanical advantage rope system, along with a stokes stretcher, to bring the man up over the riverbank’s edge, where he was evaluated by medics and transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
Lebanon Fire District responded to the scene with 18 personnel. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Albany Fire Department provided support and district coverage while the Oregon Department of Forestry Sweet Home Unit who assisted in the search with a reconnaissance drone.
With high temperatures in the forecast this week, the Lebanon Fire District would like to remind citizens about the importance of water safety; especially the importance of wearing a lifejacket in a moving body of water.
As a reminder, the Lebanon Fire District has three lifejacket day-loaner stations for use along the South Santiam River.
Life jackets range in size from infant to adult large. They are all red and blue, and stamped with the LFD logo and jacket number.
Loaner life jackets are also available at Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District headquarters, 1099 Long St.