A stranded rafter was rescued from the Root River behind Cedar Valley Resort Saturday June 4.  Please read the press release below from Fillmore County Sheriff Tom Kaase for all the details.  Kudos to all involved for a job well done.

"On Saturday, June 4th, at approximately 9:38 PM, the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office Emergency 911 Communications Center received a call of a person in distress, stranded on the bank of the Root River. The location was believed to be the Whalen Canoe Launch. A Fillmore County Deputy, a Preston/Lanesboro Police Officer, Lanesboro Fire, and Lanesboro Ambulance were all dispatched. Due to poor cell phone service, the exact location of the victim was difficult to determine. The victim was found on the river bank of the Root River, behind the Cedar Valley Resort, on the opposite side of where emergency responders were. The victim was found to be a 17 year old female. The river rescue was conducted by members of the Lanesboro Fire Department. Using their rescue equipment, their knowledge and experience, they coordinated this successful rescue. They were able to get a life jacket to the female and using tow ropes and a raft, they were able to get the victim across the river to safety. The Fire Department rescue workers were fighting the darkness of night, and the high and swift water conditions, making it very challenging. In the words of one of the Lanesboro Firefighters, it had become one of the most difficult rescues to date for their department. The female victim was assessed by the Lanesboro Ambulance, who was on scene, but was not transported.

In talking with the victim, it was learned that her group had started their tubing trip in Lanesboro about 7:00 PM. Shortly after the start of the trip, the victim noticed that her raft had a leak in it, but continued on. After the raft deflated, she began swimming along with the group. When the group went along the bank, to get out of the water, the victim was unable to swim over to her friends. She was able to pull herself over to the bank, on the opposite side of where her friends were. She could not swim to her friends and they were unable to get to her. The call for assistance was then made."

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