Fire crews rescue man trapped along Willamette River diversion

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire crews conducted a complex rescue Sunday afternoon after an unresponsive man was discovered trapped along a Willamette River diversion near the University of Oregon.

Crews were dispatched shortly after noon on January 18 to the area of 2000 Garden Avenue following reports of a possible cardiac arrest. Bystanders walking nearby noticed a person approximately 10 to 15 feet down in a crevice and called 911.

Firefighters arrived to find a man in his mid-30s unresponsive and pinned between a concrete diversion wall and large quarry stone. Multiple crews, totaling about 20 personnel, responded with specialized equipment to carry out the rescue.

The man was transported to a local hospital in critical condition with a reported body temperature of 76 degrees. Fire officials said the quick actions of bystanders were critical and likely saved the man’s life.

Eugene Springfield Fire expressed gratitude to those who called for help and to the crews involved in the challenging rescue operation.