Family of five rescued after being stranded overnight on Sandy River

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A family of two children and three adults were rescued by after being stranded overnight on the Sandy River, authorities said.

At around 10:15 p.m. Friday, Clackamas County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the north bank of the Sandy River, where the family had become stranded after floating on the river near Dodge Park.

“They had no water, no warm clothing and one of the children needed critical medications,” officials added.

A water rescue team was launched and at around 10:30 p.m., a drone from Corbett Fire spotted the family along with a warming fire on the shore near Camp Namanu.

Just before 11 p.m., authorities said air support from Portland police also spotted the fire and further helped guide rescuers towards the family.

Then at around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, volunteers with Clackamas County Search and Rescue, as well as a boat from Clackamas Fire, reached the family and helped them across the river.

Officials said all five made it out of the woods safely by 5:30 a.m.