Driver Rescued After Vehicle Crashes Into McKenzie River

 



Lane County, Or. -  A dramatic multi-agency rescue effort unfolded on the night of March 5 after a vehicle crashed into the McKenzie River near milepost 31 on McKenzie Highway, leaving the driver trapped.

Lane County Sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police responded to the crash around 8 p.m., with fire agencies from McKenzie Fire, Eugene Springfield Fire, and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District also rushing to the scene. The rescue was complicated by high water, darkness, and the vehicle’s precarious position on a rock ledge in the middle of the river.

Deputies deployed a drone to assess the situation while Search & Rescue teams worked on setting a line across the river for a rescue swimmer. The U.S. Coast Guard was also called in, sending a helicopter to assist. A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was lowered onto the vehicle, securing the driver before hoisting them to safety. The driver, who was uninjured, was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

Video of rescue from Coast Guard: click here

The successful rescue was the result of coordinated efforts from multiple agencies, including Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue, McKenzie Fire and Rescue, Eugene Springfield Fire, Oregon State Police, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and T&M Towing.

Oregon State Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

LCSO Case #25-1104, OSP Case SP25-072348.

Information from LCSO and Eugene/Springfield Fire

Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable updates to the local community. He runs the largest crime watch group in Lane County, Lane County Mugshots Uncensored, which currently has over 85,400 members. Support for local journalism is essential, and donations can be made via Venmo to @Michael-Weber-379 (last four digits of phone number: 0825).

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