Prayers rise from Ore. river, 3 are rescued

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) -- A Springfield pastor says prayers were rising from a cluster of tree roots in the middle of the McKenzie river where he and his wife and 4-year-old granddaughter found themselves after their aluminum boat capsized.

The Eugene Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/IbfCuJ) they were on a 4-foot-square root wad for nine hours Monday night.

The pastor, 61-year-old Tim Clark, says the youngster led prayers as the ordeal wore on.

Clark says they weren't sure they were going to make it. He roped the girl to his wife. He remained standing because there wasn't enough room for all to be seated. At one point, he fell in the water.

But about midnight, they were rescued because they'd taken the precaution of briefing relatives on their plans.

The three suffered mild hypothermia.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com