August 22, 2011 
11:35 AM 

  

At approximately 10:30 am today, Portland Fire & Rescue personnel were called to help a man who was in the Willamette River.  He was found clinging to a cable, along the wall, on the West side of the river, between the Burnside and Steel Bridges.  The man was noticed by people passing by.

Firefighters from Station 1 (55 SW Ash St.) quickly responded on their "Rescue Craft" which are personal watercraft specially outfitted for water rescue.  The man was quickly pulled from the water and moved to a dock where he could be transferred to a waiting ambulance.  Firefighters state that the man appeared to be completely exhausted.  He was conscious but unable or unwilling to respond to any questions. 

The individual was taken to O.H.S.U. Hospital for evaluation and care as needed.  The man was wearing pants and a shirt but no shoes and he had no ID.  The man never spoke while in the care of firefighters.  The man's identity and how or why he came to be in the river are unknown.