Deputies Complete Daring River Rescue to Save Darwin Woman

(KNSI) — A fun day on the river took a dramatic turn Tuesday afternoon when a woman got swept away by strong currents and ended up clinging for dear life to a downed tree while waiting to be rescued.

According to the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were called to the Crow River in Forest City Township aroun 4:45 after getting reports of someone in trouble. When deputies arrived, they found 44-year-old Rae Kurtz of Darwin with just her face and arms visible above the surface. The strong currents were trying to pull her under while deputies crawled out onto the tree, fighting the rushing water to reach her. They were able to help her climb onto the tree and crawl toward safety. The Litchfield Rescue Squad helped Kurtz get her into their rescue boat and back to dry land.

Kurtz had been tubing down the river with a friend when powerful currents pulled her away. She slammed into a fallen tree stretched across the river, got knocked off her tube, but managed to grab onto the tree trunk.

Both Kurtz and one deputy needed medical attention afterward – she was treated at the scene while the deputy went to the hospital for exhaustion.

Sheriff Brian Cruze is issuing a warning to stay off the Crow River right now. In a press release, Cruze cautions, “With water levels high, currents running strong, and trees down all over the place, it’s just too risky for tubing until things calm down.”

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