Boaters Trapped on Rocks at Edge of Santiam River Falls Pulled to Safety in Marion County

MARION COUNTY, Ore. — Two men pinned between rocks at the top edge of the falls on the Santiam River near Mill City on Friday were successfully rescued without any injuries.

Responding to several 9-1-1 calls about a man stranded on the rocks at around 3 p.m. Friday,  the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Marine Patrol and four fire departments arrived to find two men standing on the bow of a submerged drift boat, trapped between rocks at the top edge of the falls.

MCSO Rescue crews deployed two rafts, including a second raft large enough to transport the rescue team provided by eNRG Kayaking, below the waterfall to safely bring the pair off the boat and nearby rocks to safety.

The Sheriff’s Office noted that despite both men wearing life jackets, the incident is a reminder that strong currents can be dangerous even for experienced boaters.