In the dark, and not knowing location, six rafters need rescue from Stanislaus River
Another group of rafters ill-prepared for its journey had to be rescued from the Stanislaus River on Sunday night, the Modesto Fire Department reported.
Three adults and three juveniles launched from the McHenry Recreation Area, southwest of McHenry Avenue and River Road, Modesto Fire Department Battalion Chief Ryan Winton said Monday.
Not all the boats they were in were suitable for the conditions, he said, and at least one was punctured. The group, which apparently hadn’t calculated the river flow and the distance it intended to travel, was unable to continue and so pulled to shore, Winton said.
It had gotten dark and the rafters had no idea where they were, he said, so they called 911 about 9:30 p.m.
Two water rescue units, an engine and a battalion chief responded. The rafters couldn’t move from the shore because the area in which they were stranded had a very steep bank with overgrown vegetation, Winton said.
The group was located by the Sheriff’s Department helicopter crew. “When we figured out we couldn’t get them out from where they were, we screenshotted a picture of a place where we could get them and sent it to their cell phone,” Winton said. By phone, rescuers guided the group to the location photographed.
The Salida and Ripon fire departments provided support in getting the group to safety. No one required medical attention, Winton said.
The rescue effort took the better part of two hours, he estimated. None of the six was wearing a life jacket.
Several Modesto Fire Department stations loan life jackets:
- Station 1, 610 11th St., Modesto, 209-572-9657
- Station 27, 450 S. Willowood Drive, Oakdale, 209-572-6260
- Station 28, 325 E. G St., Oakdale, 209-577-6263
- Station 29, 17700 Main St., Knights Ferry, 209-577-6266
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 9:20 AM.
