TROUTDALE, Ore. (KOIN) — A 5-year-old boy was rescued Thursday evening after being submerged underwater while floating down the Sandy River, officials said.
The boy was floating down the river on an innertube with his dad near Glenn Otto Park, Gresham Fire Dept. said. He was reportedly not wearing a life vest at the time.
While trying to hold his son, the father struggled and both went under the water near Pilot Rock.
AMR lifeguards saw the dad come up out of the water without the child, officials said. Three lifeguards used paddle boards to get downstream and found the child about a foot underneath the surface.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, the young boy was spitting up water. He was described as conscious and alert and was taken to a local hospital.
Medical personnel said the current is stronger than normal at Glenn Otto Park because of the low water levels. They would like to remind people of the importance of wearing life jackets while in the water.