News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Husband rescues and revives submerged wife after dislodging her from grip of Clackamas River

Posted: July 27, 2009, 11:10 a.m.

Photos: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ]

CCSO CASE # 09-22891  

On Sunday, July 26, 2009, tragedy was averted by the persistent and heroic efforts of a husband who dislodged his submerged wife from the ominous grip of the Clackamas River, then revived her lifeless body by administering life-saving CPR.

At 5:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Clackamas County dispatch (C-COM) received a report of a female subject who was submerged in the water, retrieved from the water and then revived.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol responded to the scene near Paradise Cove, along the Clackamas River, between McIver State Park and Barton Park.

Deputy Scott Napoli arrived on-scene with American Medical Response and Estacada Fire rescue personnel.

It was learned the female subject -- Karen Elaine Pratt, 33, of Sherwood -- had been navigating the river with her husband, Kent Martin Pratt, 35. They were accompanied by their children and members of an additional family with children.

Deputy Napoli discovered during his investigation that Karen Pratt and her husband Kent had not been wearing personal floatation devices at the time of the incident. However, the children were wearing lifejackets while on the water.

This group of people was reportedly floating down the river from McIver Park to Barton Park, when the mishap occurred -- involving a kayak that was tied and attached to a six-person raft with a length of yellow rope. (Photos are linked above.)

As they proceeded downriver, the kayak advanced in front of the raft while moving fast through a rapid with a large rock. The raft and kayak struck the big rock simultaneously. Unfortunately, the kayak found itself lodged against the big rock, while the attached raft flipped over -- dumping all four passengers from the raft into the river.

Everyone was able to swim to shore -- with the exception of Karen Pratt.

Karen remained submerged underwater -- likely pinned underwater by the strong current while entangled in the yellow rope used to attach the two craft together.

Karen's husband Kent tried in vain several times to dislodge his wife from the river's grip. Finally -- after several attempts and what must have seemed as an eternity -- he was able to rescue his wife from her submerged, lodged position in the Clackamas River and bring her to shore.

Kent Pratt immediately began to administer CPR to his wife's lifeless body -- successfully reviving her.

Karen Pratt was also attended by rescue personnel from American Medical Response and Estacada Fire. She was ultimately transported from the scene, conscious and breathing, to a local hospital.

Karen Pratt is reportedly in fair condition this Monday morning (July 27) at the hospital.

The family reportedly does not wish to talk with media outlets at this time.

Please reference CCSO Case # 09-22891.

[END]

Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office