Clackamas County first responders rescue teen from Sandy River at Dodge Park

A teenager remains in the hospital after Clackamas Fire District firefighters assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Water Rescue Team were deployed July 24 to rescue him from the Sandy River.

At around 11:44 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, multiple people called 911 to report a potential drowning in the Sandy River at Dodge Park in unincorporated Clackamas County. A teenage male had reportedly gone underwater and not resurfaced.

A helicopter pilot from a local aviation company provided assistance when they heard of the rescue mission while flying nearby. The pilot located the teen from above and alerted the rescue team.

When the victim was extricated, life-saving measures were administered. He was breathing when transported to an area hospital.

The teen's name will not be reported because of his age. The current status of the teen is unknown.

In light of this incident, the Clackamas Sheriff's Office reminds community members to “exercise caution when engaging in water activities, particularly during the summer months when water levels and currents can be unpredictable.”

“Despite the warm weather, our deputies are still seeing cold water temperatures on the Sandy River,” a Sheriff’s Office representative said. “Even in late July, due to glacier runoff, the Sandy River's temperature measures below 60º, with silt providing poor visibility that can make it difficult to judge both depth and current.”

This rescue mission was conducted by the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium, which consists of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas Fire District No.1, the Lake Oswego Fire Department and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.