12 rafters rescued on Yakima River

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Authorities rescued a group of rafters that had been swept into a log jam on the Yakima River.

The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office says their Marine Unit responded to a call for help at about 3 p.m. Saturday.

The sheriff's office says the group of about a dozen people was swept into a log jam near Ringer soon after tying their rafts together.

The sheriff's office says several from the group were knocked off the rafts and went under the log jam, while others were swept down river, where they were caught in the lower part of the log jam. All were rescued.

Kittitas County Undersheriff Clay Myers says tying the rafts together largely eliminates the ability to navigate around hazards.