Man Nearly Drowns in Green River; King County Fire Reminds Residents of Water Safety

FLAMING GEYSER STATE PARK – A 30-year-old man was an arm length away from possibly drowning on the Green River Tuesday afternoon. Luckily he was able to get out frightened but uninjured.

Brian Freitas of Tacoma was floating on an inner tube down the Green River when the current took him directly into a downed tree in the river, which firefighters call a “strainer”.

The current pushed the inner tube under the strainer and pinned Freitas for about ten minutes in the cold current. Freitas had to continuously kick to try and stay afloat so he could breathe since he did not have a life jacket.

A stranger saw Freitas struggling in the water and was able to reach him and grab his hand. Once Freitas had help, he was able to touch the bottom of the river and get out without injury.

The rest of Freitas’s party quickly noticed that he was missing and feared the worst. 

Katie Prohaska floated to a tree so she could hold on while they looked for Freitas but quickly learned how powerful the current was when it took her inner tube. 

She was able to hang onto the tree and get to the shore uninjured and began to search for Freitas. She yelled for Freitas but didn’t get a reply so she quickly found the closest person with a cell phone to call 9-1-1.

Washington State Parks, King County Sheriff’s Office and Mountain View Fire & Rescue quickly began a search only to find Freitas safely on the shore. A tearful reunion between Freitas and Katie had them vow to never get on the river again.

The warm summer days attract people to the water, but it is important to take precautions. Local rivers are cold and fast from snowmelt, have dangers from downed trees, and loud to make communication difficult. 

It is important for anyone that goes in the river to wear an appropriate life jacket, know the water, and know their limits.

Source: King County Fire Protection District #44