Swimmer’s foot gets pinned under rocks in Oregon river. Her Apple Watch saved her

A swimmer was exhausted from trying to stay above the cold, rushing Oregon river.

The woman had gotten stuck in the Columbia River on June 15 when her foot got pinned under rocks on the bottom, the Dalles Police Department said. The water was 56 degrees and “extremely high,” officials said.

“The swimmer was nearing exhaustion from her continued exposure to the swift, cold water,” police said in a news release.

After 30 minutes of trying to break free and swim through the water, the woman called for help. The swimmer didn’t have a cellphone on her, but she had her Apple Watch.

She used the watch to call 911, police said.

When rescuers arrived, the woman looked like she was in distress and suffering from hypothermia.

Fire officials lowered a ladder into the river to try to pry her foot from the rocks. Attempts to loosen the rocks weren’t successful, police said.

An officer decided to jump into the water to feel around the woman’s trapped foot.

“He would be able to aid in the rescue only by entering the water to feel how the entrapment was occurring, since the water was too murky and fast to allow any visible inspection from above,” police said.

The officer entered the water downstream and reached for the swimmer’s foot. He finally was able to pull her foot out of the rocks and get her back to shore.

Police did not disclose the woman’s condition or identity.

“Please use extreme caution when swimming and never swim alone,” police said. “Local waterways are cold and the rivers continue to (flow) fast.”

This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 9:34 AM with the headline "Swimmer’s foot gets pinned under rocks in Oregon river. Her Apple Watch saved her."