A successful rescue by multiple agencies was made today of a female who was caught in a tree in the Cache la Poudre River.
The incident was reported just after noon and happened approximately 1/4-mile east of N. Overland Trail and the Poudre River in northwest Fort Collins. Responding agencies were given two prior locations before they found the true incident location.
When crews did arrive they immediately deployed rescue swimmers into the water as one person from the rafting group was helping hold the female’s head above water. A rescue boat and rope-rigging system were also used as the location was down a steep embankment.
The female, who was caught in a strainer — an object that blocks the passage of larger objects but allows the flow of water to continue through — was one of a group who were using inner tubes to float the river. The force of flowing water in strainer makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to dislodge a trapped object.
Once the female was safely out of the river, she was evaluated on scene and transported by ambulance to Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins.
Assisting agencies: Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, LCSO Emergency Services, Larimer County Dive Rescue Team and Poudre Valley Hospital Emergency Services.