ODOT worker rescued after truck plunges in river
CARVER, Ore. -- An ODOT employee suffered minor injuries Tuesday morning after the pickup he was driving traveled off Highway 224 in Carver and came to a rest partially submerged in the Clackamas River. Oregon State Police is completing the investigation.
According to OSP Senior Trooper Jeremy Richardson, on November 3, 2009 at approximately 9:20 a.m. an ODOT pickup driven by RICHARD LEROY SAIN, age 57, from Estacada, was eastbound on Highway 224 east of SE 197th Avenue when it drifted off the eastbound highway shoulder. The pickup traveled about 250 feet, striking some trees and a fence before it continued down an embankment about 80 – 100 feet into the Clackamas River.
SAIN was able to undo his safety restraints and crawled out a window onto the top of the pickup. Witnesses called 9-1-1, initiating response from OSP, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas Fire District #1, Clackamas County Swift Water Rescue Consortium team, and ODOT.
SAIN was rescued from the partially submerged pickup by the swift water rescue team and later transported by AMR ambulance to Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Preliminary information indicates the investigation is looking into the possibility that SAIN had a medical problem before driving off the highway. No citations were issued.
The eastbound lanes were initially closed for emergency vehicle response. All lanes were later closed to allow responding tow vehicles room to remove the pickup from the water.
