Molalla Pioneer

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Marine rescue at Wagon Wheel Park

By Abby Sewell
Molalla Pioneer

A party by the river at Wagon Wheel Park ended with a closely-averted disaster for a group of teenagers last night, when 19-year-old Brittnee Stoner of Canby was swept up by a current while attempting to cross the Molalla River with a pair of friends.

Stoner made her way to the opposite shore, where she clung to a log for more than an hour, until rescuers from the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium descended the river bank to retrieve her. The woman, who was uninjured, was picked up by her parents at the scene.

"She was fine, except for being a little cold and scared," Molalla Fire Chief Vince Stafford said.

Officers from the Molalla Police Department and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office were already on scene when the incident occurred, responding to a report of a disturbance. One man was transported to the hospital after sustaining injuries from a fight.

Ricky Saucedo, 19, of Donald, Ore. said that he, Stoner, and Jessica Sanders, 18, of Canby were attempting to leave the scene after an altercation with another group of partiers, when they decided to cross the river at a shallow point.

"We were walking and all of a sudden the current turned swift and it just took her," he said. "I got my girlfriend (Sanders) out of there, and Brittnee was gone. I honestly don't know how she got over to the other side."

CCSO Detective Jim Strovink said alcohol appeared to have been a factor in the proceedings.

"Basically, it seems like we had a bunch of teens down there drinking beer, and when the cops showed up they all took off into the woods," he said.

Austin Greenwood, 18, was arrested and booked in the Clackamas County Jail on charges of second degree assault, rioting, and criminal mischief.

For the full story, see Saturday's Molalla Pioneer.

1 Responses to “Marine rescue at Wagon Wheel Park”

  1. # Anonymous Anonymous

    So it begins.......  

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