Sheriff Office Rescue

On 8/22/20 at about 1:40 pm the Sheriff's Office received a call about a juvenile clinging to a branch in the Willamette River just north of the Buena Vista Ferry. The caller advised that the child and his father were caught up in ropes and that the father was holding the child above water. Marine Patrol deputies responded with jet skis and were able to safely get both to shore, then returned to collect the equipment.

This area of the Willamette is extremely dangerous, especially for float tubes. We continue to see a large amount of rescue calls regarding this one snag in particular. The Oregon State Marine Board placed several signs in the area warning of the danger. The Sheriff's Office asks that you please stay to the east side of Wells Island while floating in this area.