Man Dies After Being Saved From Sandy River In Troutdale

TROUTDALE, OR — A drowning man was rescued from the Sandy River and resuscitated near Glen Otto Park in Troutdale late Monday afternoon thanks to the combined efforts of three separate emergency response teams. Gresham city officials on Tuesday confirmed, however, the man did pass away later Monday.

American Medical Response (AMR) officials said their lifeguards stationed at Glen Otto Park were alerted just before 5 p.m. July 16 to a swimmer who had gone under the surface but did not re-emerge from the Sandy River. The distressed swimmer, a 25-year-old man, was reportedly swept downstream by strong currents and remained underwater for roughly 23 minutes.

Working alongside Gresham Fire & Rescue's Water Rescue Team and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the AMR lifeguards reportedly located the man about 10 feet below the river's surface.

Locating the man was made more remarkable not only because the search area became vast beyond the lifeguards' typical watch area but also because the murky Sandy River does not offer great visibility beneath its surface, AMR Operations Manager Rob McDonald told Patch.

"(Emergency responders) made a real valiant effort," he said. "We couldn't be more proud."

After bringing the man to shore and finding he had no pulse, emergency responders began resuscitation efforts while they quickly loaded him into an ambulance and began the 3-mile trip back to hospital. As the AMR ambulance arrived at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center in Gresham paramedics reportedly restored the man's pulse and heart rhythm.

On Tuesday, McDonald said AMR had yet to hear how the man was doing.

"While we hope for the best outcome, our hearts go out to the family and friends of the survivor," AMR officials said in a statement.

Gresham spokeswoman Elizabeth Coffey on Tuesday told Patch, despite the best efforts of all emergency responders, the man died after AMR paramedics left him at hospital.

McDonald estimates the number of emergency responders who participated in the life-saving effort around 10: four Gresham firefighters, between two and five Multnomah County deputies, and the four AMR lifeguards — who on Monday were more than ready to save someone's life.

In what could be described as either a complete coincidence or perfect example of kismet, the AMR lifeguards who rescued the drowning man spent that whole morning training at Glen Otto Park for the exact same emergency to which they were dispatched just a few hours later, McDonald said.

"Along with our partners at Gresham Fire & Rescue and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, American Medical Response would like to remind everyone that the power of the Sandy River, and all Northwest rivers, should not be underestimated," AMR officials said. "We strongly advise everyone in or near the water to please wear a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (life jacket)."

Along with their presence at Glen Otto Park, AMR also stations lifeguards at High Rocks Park, along the Clackamas River in Gladstone. AMR lifeguards have reportedly been watching swimmers at Glen Otto and High Rocks parks since 1999 and 2002, respectively.

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