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2 found stuck on sandbar in middle of the Nooksack River in Ferndale

2 people await a SAR rescue boat after becoming stranded on a sand bar in the middle of the Nooksack River in Ferndale (August 17, 2023). Photo: Whatcom News

FERNDALE, Wash. — First responders were dispatched about 4:30pm on Thursday, August 17th, to the Nooksack River at the Main Street bridge in Ferndale due to reports of 2 people stranded on a sand bar.

Whatcom County Fire District 7 Division Chief Ben Russell told Whatcom News about 5pm they had requested assistance from Whatcom County Search and Rescue (SAR) who are equipped with a boat to retrieve the people.

Russell said it appeared neither had suffered any injuries.

SR volunteers arrived and launched a rescue boat from the boat launch below the bridge. They were able to quickly retrieve the stranded people and take them to shore.

A SAR rescue boat returns to shore after retrieving 2 people from a sand bar in the middle of the Nooksack River in Ferndale (August 17, 2023). Photo: Whatcom News

Russell said both were examined by aid personnel and neither had suffered any injuries and were released to family members.

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