Richland man rescued from Columbia River, highlighting need for water safety

RICHLAND, Wash.-- Some walkers were enjoying a sunny Thursday morning along the shores of the Columbia River in Richland, when they heard a man in the middle of river calling out for help.

The witnesses called 911, and Benton County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Erickson was one of the first officers to arrive on the scene. With the help of officers from the Richland Police Department, he was able to spot the man in the water, bobbing up and down.

"He got behind some trees and we couldn't see him, but I spotted a fishing boat and flagged it down, and they let me get on the boat," Sgt. Erickson said. "I headed for the last known location of where the man had been spotted. Richland Police spotted him again and were able to tell us where he was."

As the man bobbed in and out of the water, the boat went alongside the 32-year old male and the three fishermen and Erickson pulled him into the boat.

Deputies believe the man entered the water around at Snyder St. north of Leslie Groves Park, wanting to go for a swim. He was not wearing a life jacket, and as he tired out, was not able to make it back to shore.

"The water is chilly still," said Scott Ruppelius with Columbia Basin Dive Rescue. "You jump in, and no matter how good a swimmer you are you're going to get that shock. You can swim for a little bit, but you're going to get lethargic and not be able to move your arms and legs that well."

Ruppelius stresses the importance of wearing a well-fitted life jacket whenever spending time in the water, and to have a designated adult to keep watch when kids are playing in or near the water.

"A lot of times mom and dad think the other one is watching the kids, and neither one are watching the kids. Someone needs to be assigned to watch the water so you know someone is keeping an eye on the kids."

Sgt. Erickson was grateful for the help from Jon Stratton, Gary Peasley, and Christopher Eastep, the men in the fishingboat, for putting down their poles and helping with the rescue.

"Without their help, who knows how this would have turned out," Erickson said. "There were no other boats in that immediate area, so without their help something tragic could have happened. But, because of their willingness to help out we were able to go and get this guy and save his life."

The swimmer was transported to the hospital to get checked out, and is expected to be okay.