Emergency crews search Prosser canal after passerby saw possible person in trouble

A passerby appears to have mistaken driftwood for a person in the Chandler Canal on Wednesday.

A person called 911 shortly after 8:20 a.m. and reported seeing someone in the water, West Benton Fire Rescue Chief Seth Johnson said.

Prosser police, Benton County deputies and Columbia Basin Dive Rescue joined with firefighters in searching the area, but after an hour they didn’t find anything.

The canal parallels the Yakima and the Old Inland Empire Highway before rejoining the river near Benton City.

People searched the river on boat, and using a drone to fly over the area, Johnson said.

The caller did what they are supposed to do, Johnson said. If people see something, they should call 911.

This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 9:47 AM.