Stranded rafters call for rescue from wrong river
JEFFERSON, Ore. -- Help, the caller told 911. Our raft crashed into some logs, and we're trapped on the Willamette River.
One problem: the three women were trapped on a pile of logs on the North Santiam River, not the Willamette.
Dispatchers used the GPS capabilities on the caller's phone to locate the trio and guide rescuers to the scene.
According to the Jefferson Water Rescue Team, Albany residents Alicia Adams, Summer Williams-Pierce and Miyhkala Londo were rafting down the North Santiam River late Sunday afternoon when the strong river current took their raft into a log jam where the boat became lodged between some debris.
Two of the girls latched onto some logs and were able to help the other victim out of the water. The raft was torn and not usable.
"All three victims ended up together on some logs," Assistant Fire Chief Scott Shepherd said. "Luckily they had planned ahead and had their cell phones in water proof bags and they were able to call for help."
They call 911 and reported at 4:54 p.m. that they were stuck -- on the Willamette River.
Using GPS technology, dispatchers determined the victims were actually on the North Santiam River southeast of Jefferson, approximately one mile down from Greens Bridge.
The Jefferson Water Rescue Team successfully rescued them at 5:23 p.m.
All three victims were wearing life jackets. There were no injuries reported.
