FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO WALLOWA LAKE SWIMMING ACCIDENT

Joseph firefighters on a rescue truck, fire engine and newly acquired Humvee prepare for swimmer rescue (above). 
Instead, patient is lifted into sheriff's patrol boat (below) for a trip to the emergency room.

Firefighters responded from Wallowa Lake and Joseph in mid-afternoon Sunday, Aug. 4, to assist in the rescue of a swimmer who hit his head on rocks on the east side of Wallowa Lake.

Witnesses said the swimmer, who was using a tire swing, hit his head in the water.

Firefighters were prepared to bring the patient up the 30-foot cliff from the shore using rope-rescue equipment, including a mobile winch acquired earlier this year but not yet put into use.

Instead, however, the firefighters helped paramedics and others reach the victim.

After on-scene medical treatment, the patient was lifted into the Wallowa County Sheriff's Office patrol boat, taken to the boat dock at Wallowa Lake State Park and transferred to a Wallowa County Health Care District ambulance for a trip to the emergency room.

Firefighters directed traffic around the emergency scene along the Wallowa Lake Highway.