Fellow kayakers pulled two people from the American River near Rainbow Bridge in Folsom on Sunday morning, Oct. 18, before emergency crews could reach them.
The incident was reported at approximately 9:07 a.m. after someone appeared to be in distress in the water near the bridge, according to Folsom Times. Four agencies dispatched units: the Folsom Fire Department, Folsom Police Department, Sacramento Metro Fire District and California State Parks.
Initial reports suggested the person may have fallen from a kayak near Rainbow Bridge. Emergency personnel began searching downstream from the bridge for the kayaker and a stray vessel, which was located during the response.
While first responders searched the river, other kayakers and paddlers already on the water stepped in. They helped the individuals to shore, according to emergency radio traffic cited by Folsom Times. The individuals walked out of the water on their own. At least one person refused medical treatment, the outlet reported, though its account alternated between referencing one and two people in distress.
The response was sizable. Four agencies sent units, including fire boats from Folsom Fire and Sacramento Metro Fire. An incident command post was set up at the Black Miners Bar boat launch to coordinate the search. Folsom police officers and California State Parks personnel also responded.
The rescue marked the second water emergency near Rainbow Bridge in recent months. On Aug. 5, the Folsom Fire Department responded after a person jumped from the bridge and was injured on rocks along the north side of the river, according to a city news release. In that incident, Boat 35 transported the patient to Black Miners Bar, where medics took over care and transported the patient to a hospital.
The waters around Rainbow Bridge and Black Miners Bar saw heavy use that same weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 17, more than 2,000 people registered and donated for the fifth annual Witches on the Lake charity paddle on Lake Natoma, according to Folsom Times.
Anyone who witnesses a water emergency on Lake Natoma can call 911.
