Lane County, OR – Several boaters were rescued after becoming stranded on an island in the Willamette River on Tuesday night near Maple Drive. The group pulled their boat out of the water as night fell, which delayed their planned return.
One person in the group was unable to walk off the island due to the unexpectedly long float.
According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue responded by boat around 9:30 p.m. They transported the group to safety without incident.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds all boaters to wear life jackets and plan for reduced daylight. Even though these boaters wore life jackets, situations can escalate quickly.
If you don’t have a life jacket, several stations throughout Lane County offer loaners for public use. As the water flow decreases, boaters are urged to take extra precautions before setting out.
Water rescues often take place in this area, so the Sheriff’s Office encourages people to avoid unnecessary risks during the late summer months.
