Yesterday, the Sheriff’s Helicopter crew rescued five people from the Russian River after their inner tubes got stuck on some bushes in the middle of the river near Vacation Beach. A family of four from Fremont became stranded on the bushes for about 2 hours and when a good Samaritan tried to help with a rope, he too became stuck in the rushing current.
A crew from the Sheriff’s Helicopter Unit “Henry-One” received the call around 5:40 PM. They flew to the area and found all five in need of assistance. The crew fastened a 100’ rope to the bottom of the helicopter and a deputy fastened himself to the bottom of the rope. One by one, using a horse collar device, the crew was able to lift each person out of the river and get them safely to the shore.
Nobody needed further medical attention but the helicopter crew advises that this time of year the water is moving very swiftly and is very cold. Those people thinking about floating or boating in the river should use extra precaution.
