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1953 Applegate flood rescue

Mbhs #: 0302.4

Year: 1953

Date: 19 Jan 1953

First Row: Pres Pyle & Cole Rivers preparing to go to aid of last 2 victims

Source: Rogue River Courier

Notes: Lance & Wesley Offenbacher were using poles to free their private bridge from flood debris "when the structure went out about 4:30pm." Wes made it to shore but Lance floated with the bridge 3/4 miles downstream. Robert Darting, Normal Kubli and Tom Pittick tried to reach Lance but their boat was wrecked in the swirling waters around 6:30pm. Cole Rivers, biologist for the State Game Commission, brought Offenbacher and Kubli out of the river at 9:15pm. Darting & Pittick were perched in trees. Pres & Sid Pyle, river guides, got ropes to the stranded men and they were rescued at 10:35pm.