Rescue Divers Pull Man from Pick-Up Underwater in Columbia River

Witnesses reported that the pick-up sank quickly, but observed the man struggling to free himself from the vehicle through the rear window.

Photo: Multnomah County Dive Rescue Team

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - The Multnomah County Dive Rescue Team in cooperation with Portland Fire & Rescue, and Port of Portland Fire & Rescue recovered the body of a 55-year-old Gresham man in the Columbia River at about 10:36 AM Tuesday.

According to witnesses, the man was driving a dark colored 2002 Ford Ranger west on NE Marine drive when suddenly he veered right, traveling off the road, into the Columbia River approximately one-half mile west of the Glenn Jackson Bridge.

Witnesses who had been traveling behind the man and cyclists who observed the crash from the bike path stopped and called 911.

They reported that the pick-up sank quickly, but observed the man struggling to free himself from the vehicle through the rear window.

He was unsuccessful and went under the water.

There was no indication prior to the crash that the driver was trying to avoid anything and this stretch of NE Marine Drive is straight and level.

The MCSO Dive Rescue Team was involved in training at the 42nd Street boat ramp when the call came in at 10:10 AM.

They arrived on the scene at 10:16 AM along with Portland Fire and Port of Portland Rescue 860.

MCSO divers immediately began preparing to enter the water while Port of Portland 860 immediately located the vehicle (under 17 feet of water) greatly speeding up the process.

Because of the strong current divers had to enter the water up stream of the vehicle and flow back to it.

An MCSO diver (Dep. Brent Laizure) quickly located the man, who was positioned half way out of the pick-up's rear window, in 17 feet of water.

The water temperature was 61 degrees with visibility only one foot making the extrication arduous, but Dep. Laizure was still able to accomplish the task quickly.

He then transferred the man to another diver (Gresham Fire Lt. Jay Cross) who swam with the patient to shore.

There Lt. Cross transferred the patient to Portland Fire personnel who brought him up the bank to awaiting paramedics.

While this transpired Dep. Laizure continued to search the pick-up, and surrounding area, for additional victims.

No additional victims were discovered which was consistent with witness statements that they had only observed one person in the vehicle.

When checked, the man was not breathing and had no pulse.

Through ALS techniques paramedics were able to establish a pulse and the patient was transported to Emanuel Hospital where he remains in critical condition today.

From the time the man went into the water to recovery was approximately 26 minutes.

Although rare, in cold water drowning there exists a possibility of resuscitation.