An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter helped rescue several people who became stranded on the Santiam River Sunday. (Courtesy/ Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
Five people floating down the Santiam River on Sunday afternoon had their trip upended when they got stranded and needed a helicopter to fly them to safety.
Around 3 p.m. a person called 911 to report five people stranded east of Niagara Park near Detroit Lake, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Two of the rafters held on to a burnt log and three were on a rock on the river. None had lifejackets, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said emergency crews were able to get life jackets to the rafters, but two rescuers became stranded during the rescue effort when their raft overturned on the remote section of river.
More agencies were called in to help, including a helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard.
Highway 22 was closed to provide access for emergency vehicles and to set up an emergency landing zone for the Oregon Army National Guard helicopter.
Four rafters and two rescuers were airlifted back to safety. Water rescue teams were able to get one person out by ground.
One of the rafters was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. No one involved sustained serious injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
“This event is a strong reminder that with the weather heating up, the heavy flow of the water, and the waters being cold, this is a dangerous time. Please be mindful and use extreme caution when swimming or floating on the river. It is required to bring personal flotation devices when floating down the river,” the sheriff’s office said.
-Saphara Harrell
