Survivor Recounts Rescue from Flooded Willamette River Bank

Fortunately, the victim had a cell phone that allowed her to notify 911.

Salem-News.com photo and video by Jerry Freeman

(SALEM) - Water Rescue crews from Salem Fire and other local agencies had their hands full today when a call came in from several victims trapped by rising flood waters on the Willamette River.

The Willamette River crested today at 28.5". The woman in the video below, relates her story of being caught by rising river flood waters that left her no escape route.

As she explains, it came to the point that she was in the water and actually had to swim to safety at one point. Accompanied by two men, one of whom the woman described as her boyfriend, they waited a little more than half an hour for rescue.

Fortunately, the victim had a cell phone and this allowed her to notify 911 of their situation, as well as their position. The area she and her companions had been camping in, under normal conditions, is a considerable distance from the river. Not today however.

Salem Fire was busy today, we are not aware of whether or not there were other rescues, but the victim that Jerry Freeman recorded retelling her story, suggested she would not be surprised if there were others.

Tim King has over 20 years of experience on the west coast as a TV news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. Tim has worked as a war correspondent in both Iraq and Afghanistan. This Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

Jerry Freeman is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who entered the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people who fulfilled their life dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “a truck driver with a new found passion to bear witness to the world’s events.”

Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarked on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Jerry's quick exhibition of natural talent and ability to shoot breaking news led to his becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team.

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