On 12-23-2020 Klickitat County Sheriffs Deputy’s responded to the Fisher Hill Bridge area for a person in the water. They found out that in fact two people had gone into the water that morning.
They later found out that Javier Lopez and his son had been out fishing that morning. They had caught one fish and had another on the line. The fish was too much for Son and was pulled into the water after losing his footing on the slick rocks down by the river.
Once the son went into the water, his father Javier went in after him. Javier was able to push his son back up onto the rock ledge out of the water. Javier tried to swim to shallower water however the current was too strong. Javier swam back to the rock ledge where his son was at and his son held onto Javier.
A fellow fisherman heard the cry for help and quickly acted. Jesse Bryan grabbed his salmon fishing net and went to where the son was hanging on to his father in the water. Jesse was able to pull Javier from the freezing cold water to safety.
Deputy’s helped the youth to the ambulance. Both Javier and his son were treated for cold water exposure. A Washington State Trooper was able to get dry clothes for both victims. Both were cleared medically and were in the water less than 10 minutes due to Javier’s quick reaction to get his son out and Bryan’s fast thinking to get Javier out. The air temperature at the time of the call was 31 degrees.
Once the father and son had warm dry clothing and were able to warm up in their vehicle and cleared by medics everything cleared the scene.
Fishing Father & Son rescued from the water
