Crews rescued two people from the Mississippi River in Clinton.
Division Chief Andrew McGovern from the Clinton Fire Department said a 30-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman had gone to the river at Willow Island in Clinton on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 to go swimming but were taken by the current.
McGovern said when first responders arrived shortly before 7:30 p.m. they found the two in the water, hanging on to trees. By using an ATV, rescuers were able to get to where the swimmers were.
“Because the… victims had been in the water 30-40 minutes and were having difficulty maintaining their grips on the trees, it was determined to enter the water for rescue,” said McGovern.
After putting on a water rescue/survival suit that was attached to the shore, a firefighter was able to rescue the woman about 15 minutes after crews arrived on scene; the man was rescued a few minutes after her.
The man and woman were evaluated by paramedics. They refused treatment and were released.