JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – Life jackets and a Good Samaritan saved the lives of a local couple whose canoe capsized on Fish Lake Thursday. JCSO marine patrol deputies and volunteers from Rocky Point Fire responded just after noon.
On October 25, 2018, at 12:34 p.m., a man called 911 to report he and his wife, both in their 60’s, were fishing when their boat capsized. Wearing life jackets, they swam toward shore. He made it out and summoned help for his wife who was struggling to move in the cold water about 30 feet from shore.
A bystander swam out to the woman and pulled her to shore. Fire rescuers met them on land and provided aid. The men were able to walk back to the boat ramp.
Low water levels meant marine patrol deputies couldn’t launch a jet boat. They rowed across the lake in a raft to pick up the woman, and then rowed her back to a waiting Mercy Flights ambulance.
The woman was transported to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for treatment for hypothermia. Her husband and the citizen rescuer were well enough to drive away from the scene.
Marine patrol deputies laud the couple for wearing life jackets. At the same time, they remind boaters on mountain lakes to consider weather conditions, water temperature, and the proximity to rescue personnel before launching. They also thank the citizen who braved the cold water to help the couple.
