Just before 12:30 this afternoon, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue's Water Rescue Team and other members of the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium responded to reports of three people who fell out of their canoe after it submerged on the Tualatin River between Tigard's Cook Park and Tualatin's City Park.

Fortunately, all three people in the canoe were wearing personal flotation devices.

After launching a boat from the Tualatin City Park boat ramp, a TVF&R crew retrieved the canoers, who had climbed to the river bank near the 8600 block of Southwest Chinook Street in Tualatin. The victims were initially located by another boater on the water, who was able to tell emergency personnel their exact location.

Once safely on land, an adult male and his two young sons were evaluated by awaiting paramedics from Metro West Ambulance and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. Additional responding agencies included Tualatin Police Department, 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. Although the outside temperatures are warming up, 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.