Brian Schaeffer, Fire Chief, 509.625.7002
Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 10:07 p.m.
A father and daughter became stranded on the rocks in the Devil’s Toenail area of the Spokane River this afternoon after the inner tubes they were riding on tipped over in the rapids. Neither was injured and rescuers used kayaks to ferry the two to the shore.
The Spokane Fire Department’s water rescue team responded about 2 pm to an area approximately a half-mile south of the Rifle Club entrance to Aubrey L. White Pkwy. Teams reached the father and daughter with kayaks and moved them from the rocks in the river to the shore. Both were cold from prolonged exposure to the cold water and warmed by medical personnel on scene, but neither had to be transported to the hospital.
Approximately 30 members of the Spokane Fire Department and the Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to the call.
The Spokane River continues to be dangerous even in the lower water flows of late August. The water is cold and can create situations where hypothermia may set in if you are immersed for too long. The Spokane Fire Department recommends caution when in the river or near the water's edge and advocates the continued use of approved life vests.
