Stranded Tubers Rescued by Wash. Swift Water Team

June 10--A trio of inner tubers was stranded on the Puyallup River in Orting Monday night, when their floats caught on a log and flipped over, Orting Valley Fire & Rescue chief Zane Gibson said.

The men were stuck on a bank opposite the High Cedars Golf Club for about 90 minutes before someone saw them and called 911 about 7 p.m., Gibson said.

Swift water rescue crews from Orting, Central Pierce, East Pierce and the Pierce County Sheriff's Department arrived, and were able reach the inner tubers by about 8 p.m., Gibson said.

No one was injured. The trio was evaluated at the scene and released.

None of them were were wearing life vests, Gibson said.

It's not a good stretch of the river to inner tube, he added, given the logs and water temperature.

"The water is cold, and you've got to wear a life vest," he said.

Copyright 2014 - The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)