Fishermen help save struggling swimmer near Richland park

Columbia River fishermen helped save a swimmer who was struggling to stay afloat near Howard Amon Park on Thursday morning.

A passerby spotted the man struggling in the river without a life jacket around 9 a.m. and called 911, according to police reports.

After a brief search, Richland police and Benton County deputies spotted the swimmer in the middle of the river.

Police contacted Jon Stratton, Gary Peasley and Christopher Eastep who were fishing nearby. They took deputies and police out to the man.

And the officers were able to pull the swimmer onboard and safely back to shore..

He was taken to the hospital to be checked out.

This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 12:27 PM.