Man Rescues His Wife During River Mishap (PHOTOS)

A story about a man's desperate and successful struggle to save his wife from drowning.

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Tragedy was averted Sunday by the persistent and heroic efforts of a husband who dislodged his submerged wife from the ominous grip of the Clackamas River, and revived her lifeless body by administering life-saving CPR.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, Jim Strovink, says around 5:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Clackamas County Dispatch received a report of a female subject that was initially submerged in the water, retrieved from the water and then revived.

"Clackamas County Marine Patrol responded to the scene near Paradise Cove, along the Clackamas River, between McIver State Park and Barton," Strovink said.

Clackamas County Deputy Scott Napoli arrived on the scene with American Medical Response and Estacada Fire Department rescue personnel.

He learned that the patient, 33-year old Karen Elaine Pratt of Sherwood, had been navigating the river with her husband 35-year old Kent Martin Pratt, and their children and members of an additional family with children.

Strovink said, "Deputy Napoli discovered during his investigation that Karen Pratt and her husband Kent had not been wearing personal floatation devices at the time; however, the associated children were wearing life jackets while on the water."

It was reported this group of people were floating down the river from McIver Park to Barton Park, when the mishap occurred; which, involved a kayak that was tied and attached to a 6 person raft with a length of yellow rope.

"As they proceeded down river the kayak advanced in front of the raft while moving fast through a rapid with a large rock. This raft and kayak struck the big rock simultaneously. Unfortunately, the kayak found itself lodged against the big rock, while the attached raft flipped -dumping all 4 passengers from the raft into the river. Everyone was able to swim to shore - with the exception of the victim, Karen Pratt."

Strovink says Karen remained submerged under water and is believed to have been pinned underwater by the strong current while entangled with the yellow rope used to attach the two crafts together.

"Her husband Kent tried in vain several times to dislodge his wife from the grip of the river. Finally, after several attempts and what must have seemed as an eternity, he was able to rescue his wife from her submerged, lodged position in the Clackamas and bringing her to the safety of the shoreline."

Kent Pratt immediately began to administer CPR and revived the lifeless body of his wife Karen Pratt. Karen Pratt was also attended to by rescue personnel representing American Medical Response and Estacada Fire, which had been summoned to the scene.

Karen Pratt was ultimately transported from the scene conscious and breathing to Providence Hospital. She is reported to be in FAIR condition as of Monday morning at Providence Hospital.