Eugene Springfield Fire water rescue crew saves five from McKenzie River incident

Eugene, OR – According to the officials, Eugene Springfield Fire’s water rescue team responded to a distress call near Bellinger boat landing on the McKenzie River.

Five individuals were rescued: three from a drift boat that swamped and two bystanders who tried to assist but got into trouble themselves.

In a dramatic rescue, the captain of Boat 5 jumped into the water to free a person trapped in a strainer, with their arm stuck and head barely above water.

The situation was more perilous than initially reported, as crews were not made fully aware of the danger until arriving on scene.

Fortunately, all five were rescued without injuries.