Firefighters save two boys from Skykomish River

Published 4:49 pm Monday, July 20, 2009

INDEX – Two boys were rescued from the Skykomish River this afternoon.

The boys, ages 9 and 12, reportedly were playing near the river when they got caught in a heavy current and waited on a rock while firefighters came to get them, Snohomish County sheriff’s Lt. Rob Palmer said.

Someone called 911 about 2 p.m. to report the boys were stranded near the 51700 block of 217th Place SE, he said. An adult had tried to go after the boys, but was unable to get to them.

“This is an extremely dangerous stretch of water, just above Canyon Falls, and is notorious for taking swimmers,” Palmer said. “This area is posted that flotation devices and helmets are required to be worn within 10 feet of the river.”

The boys apparently were unfamiliar with the area, and the danger, and were not wearing any safety equipment.

Crews from the sheriff’s office and Snohomish County fire districts 5, 26 and 28 participated in the rescue.

No one was injured.