Water Rescue; Victim Trapped In A Submerged Van At Willamette Park Boat Ramp (Photo) -04/05/23
This morning at 11:14 AM Portland Firefighters were called to a water rescue at the Willamette Park boat ramp in South Portland. The initial reports were of a vehicle that was launching a small boat backing into the water and sinking with one person trapped inside. While en route, dispatchers updated crews with further details on the specific location in order to minimize their response time, and informed crews that there was an adult male in the water attempting to assist the trapped patient. Multnomah County Sheriff’s Dive Team and the US Coast Guard were notified and requested for potential assistance.
Truck 10 (stationed on SW Taylors Ferry Rd.) arrived first at 11:21, along with an AMR ambulance. Truck 10 established Incident Command and confirmed one adult female was trapped inside a passenger van that was now fully submerged, and one adult male that was associated with her was in the water but not trapped. The crew assisted this man out of the water, and began the process of rescuing the trapped occupant. Taking quick and decisive action to assess the best way to access and remove her, they donned appropriate safety gear and got in the water. The firefighters worked below the surface to force entry into the compartment via the windows using hand tools including a “NY Hook”. The crew was then able to see the patient but could not remove her without fully entering the compartment.
A plan to haul the vehicle out of the water had already been set in motion by other firefighters on scene, and efforts shifted to rigging a tow chain and strap to the vehicle. Firefighters again went below the surface to attach this system to the van. They moved safely out of the way and the van was towed out of the water using a PF&R Battalion Chief’s unit.
At 11:36 the van was out of the water and the patient was quickly moved to the waiting ambulance gurney. Advanced Life Support measures were taken, and she was transported to OHSU. As of this posting, she remains in critical condition. The adult male was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Per Fire Chief Sara Boone, “This was an extraordinary rescue effort that speaks to the power of the 911 system we all depend on when we only have moments to live. The heroism, creative problem solving and decisive action displayed by Portland Firefighters gave this woman the best chance of survival. We risk a lot to save a lot, and today these firefighters risked their own lives to perform in an exceptional rescue effort under incredibly difficult circumstances. Our connection to a victim continues after the call ends, and our fire family extends our hearts to both folks that needed help today.”
A total of two PF&R trucks, one Rescue Boat, two Chiefs and one rehab unit arrived at the scene and assisted in rescue efforts and medical treatment. The PF&R Technical Rescue Team was en route, as well as the USCG and the MCSO Dive Team. In the event that the initial, assertive efforts by PF&R crews had proven less successful, these resources would have provided further expertise and assistance.
