A 13-year-old boy suffered head injuries Friday when he fell from a rope swing over a creek in Camas, the Camas-Washougal Fire Department reported.
The teen fell 10 to 15 feet from the swing in a steep forested canyon near Dahlia Street in Camas. He also suffered facial injuries in the fall, the department said in a bulletin Saturday.
Crews were dispatched to the scene at 3:15 p.m. and found the teen was conscious and alert but in danger of becoming hypothermic.
With assistance from Vancouver Fire Department, the Camas-Washougal crews used a rescue litter to move the teen out of the canyon. He was eventually transported to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland for further evaluation.
The teen’s name and condition were not available Saturday.
The bulletin from the department included a reminder that, despite warming days, local waters remain significantly colder and currents swifter than many might expect.
“Forested canyons in the area may provide a cool respite from heat, but access is typically very slippery and one wrong step can mean the difference between fun and tragedy,” the bulletin added. “Use all available safety devices when on the local waterways, and when exploring local forests and canyons stay out of unsafe areas and always let a responsible person know where you’ll be and when you plan to return.”
Mark Bowder: 360-735-4512; twitter.com/col_cops; mark.bowder@columbian.com.
