Three women were rescued from the Chippewa River in Eau Claire Friday night after becoming stranded while tubing.
The Eau Claire Fire Department responded around 9:09 p.m. to the 400 block of Water Street, where three women were stranded in the river.
Fire officials say all three were conscious and talking when crews arrived, but initial attempts to reach them from shore were unsuccessful because of the river’s fast-moving current and their distance from shore.
Fire department boats were then launched from Hobbs Landing. During the rescue, two of the women lost their footing and were carried downstream before being helped to shore. A rescue boat reached the third woman and brought her safely out of the water.
All three were evaluated by Eau Claire Fire Department medics and none required transportation to a hospital.
The department is reminding people that conditions on the Chippewa River can change quickly and become dangerous. Officials recommend wearing a life jacket, checking current conditions and avoiding alcohol while tubing or swimming.
