EUGENE, Ore. — Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded to a dramatic water rescue on the Willamette River Thursday evening, after a swimmer lost their floatation device and struggled to stay afloat.
The incident occurred just before 6:30 p.m. on July 3rd, downstream from the Knickerbocker Bridge.
When firefighters arrived, they discovered an unhoused person performing CPR on the swimmer on a shallow gravel bar in the middle of the river. Firefighters took over the resuscitation efforts on their boat and transported the individual to the launch, where Medic 1 was waiting. The swimmer, who had been submerged for about 10 minutes, was taken to RiverBend in critical condition.
Battalion 1 returned to Alton Baker Park after the rescue in an attempt to locate the individual who performed CPR, but they were unable to find them. Authorities are asking anyone who may know this person to contact ESF so they can be recognized for their bravery.
Eugene Springfield Fire frequently responds to water rescues in the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, where people often use inappropriate flotation devices without life vests.
ESF tells us:
If you got an inexpensive tube or raft at a local box or convenience store, it is not designed for anything but a pool. Not only do these choices put your life at risk, they deplete several fire crews during the same time of day that fire risk is highest.