A 16-year-old swimmer drowned on Wednesday, Aug. 13, in the Columbia River at Frenchman’s bar in Vancouver despite Clark County Fire District 6 (CCFD 6) calling the rescue efforts, “a Herculean effort,” from numerous rescue agencies.
A CCFD 6 news release stated that, according to witnesses, the 16-year-old was swimming toward a nearby wing dam in the river when he suddenly went underwater and didn’t resurface. They estimated he was about 20 yards offshore at the time, the release added.
At the same time, Vancouver Fire was called to a two-alarm fire, so resources were stretched thin, CCFD 6 stated.
The battalion chief from Clark County Fire District 6, along with Vancouver Fire Engine 3 and Fireboat 1, self-assigned to the report of a possible drowning. In addition to those agencies, rescuers from Clark-Cowlitz Fire and Rescue, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Vancouver Police Department, the Clark County Technical Rescue Team, Portland Fire and Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard searched for the missing swimmer. In all, four boats, seven rescue swimmers, one helicopter and multiple fire engines and squads participated in the search, the release stated.
Despite their best efforts, by 9 p.m. on Aug. 13 the situation shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation. The identity of the drowning victim will be released at a later date, CCFD 6 stated in the release.
“Conditions in the Columbia River at Frenchman’s Bar are known to be treacherous, and authorities urge caution for those who choose to swim there,” the release stated. “The current is swift in this section of the river and there is a large drop-off just offshore. Historically there have been a number of drownings in this part of the river.”
