Weekend river rescue reminder to use personal floatation devices

Brian Schaeffer, Fire Chief, 509.625.7002

Monday, June 5, 2017 at 9:14 a.m.

Spokane Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team members pulled four victims who were clinging to a tree to safety after the swift-moving Spokane River overwhelmed the inner tubes they were using. A fifth person in the group managed to make it to shore before rescuers arrived.

No one was injured during the Saturday afternoon incident near People’s Park, but the Spokane Fire Department strongly encouraged people on the river to use personal flotation devices and proper floatation equipment. River flows continue to be dangerous.

Rescue teams received a call about 1:20 pm of four people trapped in the river. Crews found the victims clinging to a tree approximately 50 feet from the shore. A fifth person had made his own way to shore.

Rescuers provided personal floatation devices and helmets to each of the victims and used a kayak to move them to shore one at a time. The response included 35 rescuers from the Spokane Fire Department, Spokane Police Department, Spokane Valley Fire Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, AMR and Life Flight.