Calif. rescue swimmers save man in bay

Rescue swimmers were able to get the victim across the channel to State Route 255 where emergency medical personnel began treatment

January 11, 2012 04:21 AM

Eureka Times-Standard

HUMBOLDT, Calif. — Rescue swimmers helped a man make his way from Indian Island to State Route 255 after he apparently jumped from the Samoa Bridge into Humboldt Bay on Monday evening.

The man jumped from the southern end of the first span of the bridge and was spotted by California Highway Patrol and Eureka Police officers, according to the Humboldt Bay Fire District. Rescue swimmers from Humboldt Bay Fire arrived on scene at about 8:15 p.m. and found the victim lying in the mud and grass on Indian Island showing signs of severe hypothermia and an altered level of consciousness.

Rescue swimmers were able to get the victim across the channel to State Route 255 where emergency medical personnel began treatment. The victim was transported to St. Joseph Hospital.

Humboldt Bay Fire credits the rescue’s success to the efforts of emergency personnel, the support of the U.S. Coast Guard and the fire department’s new water rescue team.

Rescue