A 60-year-old man was rescued from the Wenatchee River on Wednesday, May 22, after trying to escape deputies.
According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, county deputies responded around 8 a.m. to reports of a man who fell into the river near Black Bird Island in Leavenworth.
Cascade Medical and Chelan County Fire District #3 responded to the area of the call with Chelan County deputies. The man, Victor V. Martin, was found stranded on a small island in the middle of the river.
A fire district rescue swimmer was able to reach Martin, finding him hypothermic but unharmed.
By chance, a passing fishing boat spotted Martin and the rescue swimmer on the island and transported them to the East Leavenworth boat launch, where Martin received medical treatment from waiting Cascade doctors.
During a subsequent interview with Martin, who was initially evasive, deputies discovered that he had fled from deputies the night before and ended up jumping into the river to escape.
Unfortunately, Martin quickly found himself in trouble in the water and had no choice but to take refuge on the island until he was found.
Deputies report that Martin recognized the danger of his actions and expressed gratitude for the rescue.
