CHELAN FALLS - On the evening of July 20 crews from Chelan Fire and Rescue, Chelan County Sheriff’s office, and Chelan County Fire District One (Wenatchee) rescued four stranded young people in their late teens, early 20’s with a ladder bridge, in the Chelan River Gorge near Chelan Falls. The last person was brought out at 9:30 p.m. Crews returned the on Wednesday to retrieve the ladder.
Each agency provided rope rescue technicians and water rescue personnel to access the stranded victims. Water levels continued to change throughout the rescue, ultimately slowing enough to allow for a safe and effective rescue.
In an email, Rachel Hansen, spokesperson for the Chelan County PUD said, “We’re grateful that crews safely rescued the four people stranded in Chelan Gorge Monday (July 20). This is a teachable moment for all of us who enjoy the outdoors. Chelan Gorge is closed, from the dam to the railroad bridge, for safety due to falling rocks and fast-changing water levels. We divert water into the Gorge for a variety of reasons. On Monday, we diverted water into the Gorge for planned maintenance. Please respect the “No Trespassing” signs at Chelan Gorge. Swim at one of our public swimming areas instead, listed at chelanpud.org/parks.’’
Chelan Fire and Rescue has seven members who are trained Rope Rescue Technicians. This is an advanced level skill that they provide to Chelan and surrounding communities with Chelan County 1 and the Chelan County Sherriff’s HART team. They practiced July 14 in the upper Chelan Gorge, below the Chelan Dam. A second practice was held on July 21.
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