Twelve Rescued from the North Santiam River in Jefferson in Two Days

"It is important that you notify someone when you will be putting into the river and when you are expected to return." - Anne-Marie Penge, Jefferson Fire District

File photo of a pair of Jefferson Fire volunteers

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - Water Rescue teams from the Jefferson Fire District, Albany Fire Department and Linn County Sheriff's Office rescued six people from the North Santiam River early this evening.

Anne-Marie Penge, Fire Prevention Specialist with the Jefferson Fire District, said responders were originally dispatched to two individuals trapped on a log jam.

"Four others were then found during the initial rescue. Josh DeVos and his parents Al and Dea DeVos had been fishing when inner tubers told them about two people trapped on an island. The DeVos' investigated and found that a husband and wife who had been canoeing had been swept out and trapped on a log jam."

Penge says that while enroute to the original rescue, a crew from the Albany Fire Department came across an inner tuber that had been stuck on another log jam.

They then continued on to assist the Jefferson Water Rescue Team, Penge said.

"During the rescue three more people were swept off their inner tubes and rescued. They got stuck in the same log jam as the original call. Only one person out of the six people was wearing a life jacket."

The Linn County Sheriff's Office rescued six people Saturday from a similar area on the river. No one was wearing life jackets in any of those cases.

"The Jefferson Fire District would like to remind the public that if they are planning to travel down the river that the water is very cold, the currents are swift in places." Penge says you also have to watch out for debris, snags, and log jams.

"It is important that you notify someone when you will be putting into the river and when you are expected to return."

She says you should also be aware of your surroundings, and know where you are, and always wear a life jacket.