Crews rescue stranded mother, 2 sons from Green River

AUBURN, Wash. — A mother and her two sons were rescued Saturday afternoon after their raft sank at the Green River, authorities said.

According to authorities, a woman was taking her 4- and 6-year-old sons to Flaming Geyser State Park to float on the river.

Deputies said a tree branch punctured their raft.

“The river was too much for them and they ended up on the other side. Their raft popped,” said Andy Weekley of the King County Sheriff’s Marine Unit.

The raft sank, and the mom and the two boys were in the water.

“The water is very cold, it’s running very fast and it’s powerful,” Weekley said.

The two boys were wearing life jackets and got to the shore with their mom, but they were stranded on the other side of the river.

Crews were able to get them back to safety.

Kendra Grimes also floated the Green River on Saturday and ran into trouble.

“We lost everything. Our cellphones and everything,” Grimes told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Alison Grande. “You can’t control tubes, your tubes tip over, there are rocks, and they pop your tubes, obviously.”

Grimes and the boys did not get hurt.

Deputies said people underestimate the river and attempt to use rafts that are more suited for a swimming pool than a river.

“You need a specialized raft. A lot of people do it in inner tubes,” said Weekley.

KIRO