Three Rescued from Clackamas River East of Estacada

Thet were identified as Branton Shows 50 years old, Kayla Pletcher 40 years old, and Alex Pletcher 19 years old, all of Estacada.

File photo of Clackamas River courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org

(CLACKAMAS) - A 911 call came in of 3 people stranded on the Clackamas River up stream from the confluence of the Collawash River east of Estacada. The Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium and Clackamas County Search and Rescue responded to the area.

Rescuers were able locate three adults who were stranded on the opposite side of the river from the roadway. They were out of the water on a rock outcropping but unable to get back across. Their vehicle was parked about 100 yards upstream from their location.

The Clackamas River is running at a higher level than normal with all of the recent rain and was continuing to rise as the rescue took place. Rescuers were able to use a raft to navigate across the river. They placed the three in personal flotation devices (PFD's) and used the raft to get them back across the river. No one was injured during the rescue; the three were treated and released at the scene by American Medical Response.

The three subjects were identified as Branton Shows 50 years old, Kayla Pletcher 40 years old, and Alex Pletcher 19 years old, all of Estacada.

Rescuers learned the group got to the area around noon and put in a small recreational type raft to float down the river. Immediately after launching the raft they hit some debris and the raft sank. The three were able to make it to shore but were not wearing PFD's. They were able to build a warming fire and waited until a passerby saw them and called 911. They did not have the proper equipment to be navigating this type of waterway.

Responding agency's from the Clackamas Water Rescue Consortium included Clackamas County Sheriff's Marine Patrol and Water Rescue Team, Clackamas County Fire District 1, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Gladstone Fire Department and American Medical Response.

The Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium would like to remind everyone to be careful around local rivers. With the recent rain rivers are cold, fast, high and full of debris. Always remember to wear you PFD and make sure you never try to navigate water that is above your skill level or the level of your equipment.

News Release from Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office