Today, just before 4:30 p.m. Sweet Home Fire responded to the second water rescue at Mckercher Park within 3 days. An 8-year-old female was stuck in the same location as the 10-year-old on Sunday. Bystanders were able to free the girl before rescuers arrived. The cause of entrapment in both cases was a log that is wedged beneath the surface of the water. Other than these two cases we are not aware of any other history of entrapments at this location.
The first photo attached shows three of the four bystanders that rescued the girl, assisting firefighters by placing caution tape on the water channel that leads to the hazard . (Left to Right: Cameron Harris, Torell Ireton, Caleb Ritcher) Not pictured was Dakota Hufled. Torell Ireton, of Salem, was also present on Sunday and assisted with that rescue.
The second Photo shows Ireton (left) and Harris (right) identifying the area that both victims were trapped. A sunken Log can be seen directly behind Harris just beneath the surface.
Please be very careful of the forces of swift water like this and avoid this area until the hazard can be removed. Linn County Sheriff Office has referred the information to Linn County Parks. Sweet Home Fire Dive team members have volunteered to assist in the removal of the hazard log.