Salem Firefighters Rescue Two Boaters Stranded on Willamette River

The boat still remains stranded on the middle of the river.

Photo: Salem Fire Department

(SALEM, Ore. ) - On Thursday at 3:09 PM, Salem Fire Department's Water Rescue Team was dispatched to Willamette River due to a boat running a ground in the middle of the Willamette River.

Two men both in their 50's were on the boat when it became stranded.

Four Salem Fire Water Rescue members responded to the stranded boat.

Due to the very shallow water Salem Fire's boat was unable to reach the stranded boat.

Firefighter Chad Cook swam to the stranded boaters.

The boat had dug deep into the river's bottom, so deep Salem Fire Water Rescuers were unable move the boat.

So the stranded boaters were assisted to the shore and brought back to the dock.

Firefighter/Paramedics treated and evaluated one of the gentlemen for trouble breathing.

He was released without being transported.

The boat still remains stranded on the middle of the river.