Man rescued from Spokane River in East Central neighborhood Tuesday afternoon

SPOKANE, Wash. — A man was rescued from the Spokane River Tuesday afternoon in the East Central neighborhood.

According to the Spokane Fire Department, crews were called out to the area of East Sharp Avenue and South Riverton Avenue around 1 p.m. on Tuesday for reports of a man in the river needing help.

SFD says the man was about 20 feet from shore, clinging to a branch in the current.

While the Swiftwater Rescue Team launched kayaks upstream, the man lost his grip and was swept downstream by the current, briefly going under the water.

SFD said rescuers quickly put their kayaks downstream and brought the man to the riverbank. The man was conscious, but suffering from hypothermia and fatigue. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

SFD said the reason the man was in the water isn’t known at this time.


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