KALAMA — Cowlitz County Fire District 5 says a man rescued his friend from the Kalama River Wednesday afternoon.
Crews were dispatched to the 3500 block of Kalama River Road at about 2:47 p.m. after receiving a call regarding an unconscious fisherman floating down the river.
Once crews arrived, they were ushered by a bystander down a long narrow trail to the river, where they met the fisherman, who already regained consciousness, and collected information of the incident.
According to the release, the fisherman floated nearly 100 yards before his friend finally reached him.
Once ashore, one of the fisherman’s friends trekked one-fourth of a mile up a trail over 200 feet in elevation and after locating their vehicle, drove to a nearby fish hatchery to call for help.
The fisherman was treated, loaded into a Stokes basket, and taken up the hill by the technical rescue team.
He was placed into an ambulance.
The fisherman was then airlifted from Haydu Park by a Life Flight helicopter and transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.
Commissioner Terry Sinkler of Cowlitz Fire District 5 told The Daily News that twelve personnel transported the fisherman up the hill.
Overall, 31 emergency responders from both Cowlitz and Clark counties assisted in the effort.
