Ontario Fire & Rescue Press Release
On July 28, 2025, at approximately 8:30 PM, Ontario Fire & Rescue (OFR) was dispatched for a vehicle that left Highway 201 and went into the water near the Malheur River bridge. OFR Rescue 1 (crew of three) and Ontario Rural Fire Protection District Engine 156 (crew of two) responded to the scene. OFR 105 (the Chief’s vehicle) responded to Fire Station 1 to load the swift water rescue raft.
Rescue 1 arrived on scene to find a pickup truck in the Malheur River with one occupant inside the vehicle. R1 requested a general page for an additional OFR engine company and Payette County’s Swift Water Rescue Team, which is comprised of Payette and New Plymouth firefighters. OFR deployed our rescue raft with two firefighters, who successfully removed the patient from the vehicle and brought them safely to the shore. Treasure Valley Paramedics provided emergency medical care and transported the patient to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. The Ontario Police Department and Malheur County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the operation and are investigating the cause of the accident.
Photo:
Ontario firefighters Brett Leavitt and Austin Findling
