Two more rafters rescued from swollen, fast-moving Thornapple River near 68th Street SE

Published: Monday, May 30, 2011, 3:18 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 5:30 AM

By John Tunison | The Grand Rapids Press

Update: Woman taken to hospital after nearly drowning while tubing the Thornapple River in Caledonia Township

CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP - Police at the Thornapple River near 68th Street SE reported that two more rafters were rescued from the water at about 3:15 p.m, apparently after falling from tubes.

The incident comes after firefighters and police earlier rescued a woman who had fallen in the water, as well as three children stuck on tubes in brush, at about 1:30 p.m.

Kent County police dispatchers said the water near 68th Street was fast-moving and higher than normal due to recent rains, causing trouble for tubers who were launching today from the 84th Street dam.

Dispatchers said police were stopping people from putting tubes in the water at the dam and advised six others already in the water to get out.

The people on tubes were part of a group, dispatchers said.

The two people rescued at 3:15 p.m. were only in the water for a few minutes.

E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@grpress.com

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