Just before 6p.m. on April 12, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s Water Rescue Team and other members of the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium responded to reports of a stranded adult female kayaker who had become lost and distressed on the Tualatin River between Tigard’s Cook Park and Tualatin’s City Park.
After launching a boat from the Tualatin City Park boat ramp, a TVF&R crew retrieved the kayaker who had desperately clung to a tree branch near the 8600 block of SW Chinook Street in Tualatin. She was initially located by a Tualatin police officer based on her descriptions of landmarks and reports from witnesses who could hear her shrill cries for help.
Once safe on land, the kayaker was evaluated by awaiting paramedics from Metro West Ambulance. Additional responding agencies included Clackamas County Sherriff’s Office, Clackamas County Fire District and Washington County Sherriff’s Office.
Today’s rescue serves as a good reminder to always wear a personal flotation device (life vest) when on the water. Springtime water conditions commonly produce high, cold water as a result of mountain runoff and rain which can render a person incapable of self-rescue.
For water safety tips, visit http://www.tvfr.com/index.aspx?nid=225