Rescue Crews Work Quickly to Save Man Trapped Under Waterfall

It is believed that the victim was stuck in the water for approximately one hour.

Tuesday evening at approximately 8:10 p.m., the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call, from a caller reporting a man stuck in the water at Dougan Falls. Photo Courtesy: Skamania County Sheriff’s Office

(WASHOUGAL, Wash. ) - Tuesday evening at approximately 8:10 p.m., the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call, from a caller reporting a man stuck in the water at Dougan Falls.

The caller reported the man’s head was above water but his legs were trapped.

Deputies responded along with EMS and fire units, and when they arrived they found 19-year-old John Napierkowski, from Washougal Wash., in the Washougal River under the bridge at Dougan Falls. Napierkowski’s legs or feet were stuck under water and he was in chest deep water.

Firefighters began assisting by providing ropes and tying them around Napierkowski. A life jacket was also provided. Upon arrival of additional resources, Napierkowski was fitted with a harness and an additional rope.

Firefighters then began pulling on the rope from upriver and were able to free Napierkowski. Additional responders then pulled Napierkowski from the river and he was placed in a rescue basket and pulled to shore. Napierkowski was subsequently transported to the hospital.

It is believed that Napierkowski was stuck in the water for approximately one hour.

While he was able to follow instructions from first responders, it was evident that he was feeling the effects of being in the river for an extended period of time. EMS described Napierkowski as being “coherent and following instructions but lethargic.” The water temperature is believed to be in the range of 58 to 60 degrees.

“This stretch of warm weather has kept first responders busy throughout the area. We encourage people visiting the Dougan falls area and other popular swimming areas to be safe, use a life jacket when necessary and know the hazards so that you can avoid trouble if possible.”

Source: Skamania County Sheriff’s Office