Young girl in critical condition after near-drowning

A young girl was rushed to the hospital in critical condition Saturday after being rescued from the water and receiving CPR at Paradise Point State Park.

Authorities were called in at about 2:10 p.m. after the girl was found under water in the East Fork of the Lewis River.

Clark County Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Tim Dawdy said people nearby pulled the girl from the water and began providing CPR.

Crews took over upon arrival and transported the girl to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in critical condition, Dawdy said. The girl’s age and identity was not available Saturday.

Dawdy noted that Clark County Fire & Rescue works with Washington State Parks to provide free life jackets at Paradise Point.

“Park rangers are just superior in making sure that thing is stocked,” Dawdy said. “We just hope people choose to use them.”