Firefighters Rescue Stranded Rivergoers From Log Jam

Three individuals were brought safely to shore by the Oskaloosa Fire Department Thursday night after they became stranded on the Des Moines River.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The calls to Mahaska County 911 for help started coming in after 10pm. Three individuals on inner tubes were having difficulty navigating the river. They eventually came to rest on a log jam in the middle of the Des Moines River, nearly 4 miles from the Eveland Access Campground.

The adventurers launched into the Des Moines River near Tracy around 2pm.

Mahaska County 911 Dispatchers answered the call, and helped to direct Mahaska County Sheriff Deputies to the area where the 911 calls were being made from.

Oskaloosa fire and rescue personnel launched a rescue boat from Eveland Access, and eventually retrieved the stranded individuals.

Mark Tennison, firefighter with the Oskaloosa Fire Department, said none of the stranded individuals were injured during the event.

Mahaska County 911, Mahaska County Emergency Management, Mahaska County Sheriffs Department and Oskaloosa Fire all aided in the rescue effort.