NEWS RELEASE 9/9/13: PF&R Rope Rescue Team Called to Assist Portland Police with Bridge Rescue
Portland Fire's Technical Rescue Team was requested this evening by the Portland Police Bureau to assist in accessing two individuals who had climbed to a restricted area underneath the west end of the Burnside bridge. The call came in at 8:15pm and when crews arrived they found two individuals were stuck in a below grade water holding area. One individual was stuck on a small shelf with two dogs and a cat; the other had fallen into the water holding area but climbed out and awaited rescue. PF&R Tech Rescue specialists had to set-up a rescue system to lower a firefighter down to the first individual, place a rescue harness around his waist and then hoist him and the rescuer back up to safety. Fire crews were able to access the second individual and her pets with a ladder and bring them to a safe area. No injuries were reported on either individual or on the pets. Officers from the Portland Police Bureau are currently interviewing both subjects.
Contact Info: Lt. Rich Chatman PIO, media pgr: 503-940-6003