Man who rescued swimmers from Columbia River apparently swept away

MATTAWA, Wash. (AP) — Authorities are searching for a Yakima man who rescued swimmers from the Columbia River but then got caught in the current himself and vanished.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office says the man dove into the river near Vernita Bridge about 10 miles south of Mattawa to help three juvenile swimmers who got caught in the current. He got two of them to shore before he also was caught in the current. The third juvenile swimmer was able to return to shore safely.

Several agencies have responded, including the Grant County Search and Rescue, Grant County PUD and the Columbia Basin Dive Rescue.