A dramatic rescue took place September 3 after three people and four animals were pulled from a vehicle that left the roadway and came to rest in a creek along South Bradley Road near Oregon City.
Clackamas Fire responded to the crash at approximately 9:32 p.m. after the vehicle traveled about 20 feet down an embankment before landing in the creek. When crews arrived, the vehicle was filling with water, prompting firefighters to quickly begin removing those inside.
The occupants included three people, with two dogs and two cats.
Injured Occupant Requires Technical Rescue
Two occupants were assisted up the embankment with the help of firefighters and a ground ladder.
A third occupant had suffered injuries and required a more technical rescue. Clackamas Fire’s technical rescue team established a low-angle rope rescue system and secured the injured person in a Stokes basket.
Firefighters then used the rope system to safely raise the patient up the approximately 20-foot embankment to the roadway.
Two occupants were transported by American Medical Response to local hospitals with injuries. The third occupant was not injured.
Dogs and Cats Brought to Safety
Firefighters also worked to rescue the four animals from the vehicle. Two dogs and two cats were safely removed and brought up the embankment.
All four animals were uninjured, according to Clackamas Fire.
The response involved Clackamas Fire units BC303, E309, E311, HR305, T316 and WR319, as well as the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and AMR.
Local Residents React Online
The rescue drew praise from local residents on social media, with commenters thanking the crews for their work and describing them as heroes.
The response required firefighters to work in difficult conditions while accounting for both injured occupants and frightened animals. Their quick actions and use of specialized rescue equipment helped bring everyone safely back to the roadway.
Several commenters expressed gratitude for the work of first responders, while others highlighted the successful rescue of all four animals.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the cause of the crash.