A man swimming in the chilly waters of the Sandy River had a close call Friday evening when he became disoriented, requiring another swimmer to pull him to safety. The incident occurred near the Lewis and Clark State Park, Multnomah County deputies reported. First responders from the Corbett Fire Department were dispatched to the scene to provide first aid, as noted by local news outlet KATU.
With temperatures on the rise, the weekend saw a series of water rescues beyond the Sandy River incident. On Saturday evening, two additional rescues were on the Clackamas River near High Rocks. One individual caught adrift called out for help before bystanders intervened, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office disclosed. No severe injuries were reported in these instances, and all parties were accounted for.
Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno emphasized the perils of local waterways such as the Sandy and Willamette Rivers, noting that cold mountain runoff keeps water temperatures deceptively low. "Especially areas like the Sandy River or the Willamette River," Dr. Bruno explained, as temperatures in these waters currently hover between frigid 40s and 50s. Dr. Bruno further advised, "It's a good idea to be proactive about hydrating" and reminded folks to carry water and use sunscreen during hot weather, as local news source KGW relayed.
Although American Medical Response (AMR) isn't scheduled to begin patrols of local waters until Memorial Day, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is stepping up safety measures. Free-to-borrow life jacket kiosks have been set up at multiple parks, including Glenn Otto Park, Oxbow Regional Park, and Dodge Park. These kiosks aim to provide an additional safety net for swimmers and water enthusiasts, the reports from KATU and KGW suggested.
