Several Agencies Working Together Save Bridge Jumper's Life

Multnomah Deputies Ken Yohe and Ron Osborn were able to pull Pietz, who was hypothermic, from his estimated 40 minutes in the water.

The Glen Jackson Bridge Courtesy: home.freeuk.net/

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - A number of Oregon and Washington emergency responders saved the life of a Ridgeland, Washington man last night at 7:15 AM.

The 38-year old man, Trenton Pietz, reportedly parked his black Lexus sedan in the middle of the Glenn Jackson bridge and jumped over the rail, plunging 100' into the river, according to Deputy Paul "Mac" McRedmond, the Public Information Officer with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.

He says Oregon Department of Transportation workers first spotted the abandoned Lexus, left with its engine running, in the northbound lanes of the bridge, on the south side of Government Island.

Portland Police responded and asked for marine patrol assistance, McRedmond said. The boats from Port of Portland, Clark County and the Multnomah Sheriff's Office arrived at about the same time, 7:45 PM.

He credited "the sharp-eyed deputies from Clark County" who spotted the man clinging to life on a piece of driftwood near the east pilings of the bridge at about mid-span.

MCSO Deputies Ken Yohe and Ron Osborn were able to pull Pietz, who was hypothermic, from his estimated 40 minutes in the water. They used a Liberty boat and transported him to the 42d Street/Marine Drive boat ramp/

From that point, McRedmond said Mr. Pietz was taken by ambulance to Emanuel Hospital.

Source: Multnomah Sheriff's Office