A man floating the South Santiam River on a tube was rescued Saturday evening, May 27, by Albany firefighters after he got stranded on an island, Lebanon Fire District reported.
Lebanon crews and water rescue technicians responded to the report of a water rescue near the 40000 block of McDowell Creek Drive early Saturday evening.
According to initial information, a male, whom LFD did not identify, was floating down the river with friends when they were separated.
The tubers arrived at their location at Waterloo Park but hadn’t seen their companion for several hours.
So they called 911.
While en route to the location, the battalion chief requested a Linn County Sheriff’s Office drone to assist in the search.
Rescuers from Lebanon Fire flew their own drone further upriver in an attempt to find him. The incident commander also requested a Albany Fire Department watercraft.
Approximately 20 minutes later, the LCSO drone found the man upriver from Waterloo Park on an island.
He appeared to be in distress, according to the report, but after several drone flyover attempts, he got up and started walking.
The incident commander was able to contact the man via cell phone. He said 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.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office reported that the man was “intoxicated” and that his float had deflated.
Lebanon Fire District responded to the scene with 12 personnel on one heavy rescue, one engine, one ALS medic unit, one rehab unit for fire/rescue personnel and three staff vehicles.
Lebanon rescuers were assisted by the Albany Fire Department, which responded with four rescue swimmers and two watercraft.
The Linn County Sheriff’s office assisted with support from dispatchers, drone and patrol officers.
With warm temperatures forecasted for the upcoming week, the Lebanon Fire District advised citizens about the importance of water safety, especially of life jackets in a moving body of water.