Five rescued from McKenzie River after boat takes on water

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Five people were rescued after a boat took on too much water in the McKenzie River in Springfield Saturday evening, authorities said.

Just before 6 p.m., Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to calls for a rescue just above Bellinger boat landing on the McKenzie River.

On arrival, they found three people in a drift boat that got swamped, as well as two bystanders who tried to help, but ended up needing rescuing themselves.

Officials said that at one point, a crew captain had to jump in to rescue one of the people who had their arm stuck and “their head barely above the water, face down and water running over their head.”

“Crews were surprised how dangerous of a situation the individuals were in because it was never relayed to dispatch or crews until they got out on the water,” Eugene Springfield Fire added.

No injuries were reported, officials said.