Couple escape after Jeep sinks in frigid Columbia River current

What started as a drive on trails along the Columbia River quickly turned to disaster when the current pulled a Jeep underwater.

A man and his wife were driving along trails near the Ringold Boat Launch Friday night when the back of the Jeep became caught in the river, Franklin County Undersheriff Monty Huber told the Tri-City Herald. The current dragged it off of the trail and into the water.

The driver had his window open when the Jeep sunk. He helped rescue his wife and one of their two dogs. They weren’t able to save the other dog, Huber said.

They were on the shore by the time deputies arrived, Huber said. They were treated for hypothermia at a local hospital.

The trails used by the Jeep are commonly taken to reach fishing spots along the river. Huber said the driver was familiar with the area and wasn’t intoxicated at the time.

The Columbia River has been higher than normal, fed by rain and runoff from the mountains, this created treacherous conditions for the driver, Huber said.

“I think they underestimated how high the water was and how fast the current was,” Huber said.

Deputies and Columbia Basin Dive Rescue returned to the Jeep on Saturday to pull the vehicle out of the river, Huber said.