JENKS, Okla. — A woman is safe and out of the water after a multiple-agency response at the 96th Street bridge in Jenks.
Jenks fire, Tulsa fire, and Jenks police departments responded after a call of someone in the Arkansas River near the 96th Street bridge.
“Someone was in the river yelling for help," JPD Assistant Chief Melissa Brown said. "(It) looked like they were being pulled under over by Los Cabos at the Riverwalk. And we don't know how long she was in the water prior to that. So she was having a medical problem. She thought the water would help cool her off, and it just swept her away."
Jenks fire crews put a "banana boat" raft in the water to help get the woman out, but strong currents separated them.
“She was not responsive to any commands whatsoever,” JFD Assistant Chief Kyle Zickefoose said.
WATCH: Jenks first responders rescue woman in Arkansas River:
Jenks fire tried again and pulled the woman to safety. Police said she was taken to the hospital.
“We’re geared for water rescue, but we don’t always have the fastest deployment because of the equipment that we have,” Zickefoose added.
The assistant fire chief said the incident underscores the need for the department to get motorized rescue boats for the more than six miles of river in Jenks city limits.
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2 News sent an email on July 14 asking the city if there’s money or priority for such an investment, but did not hear back yet.
Crews closed the 96th Street bridge in both directions for a brief time but opened it up as soon as the rescue was made.
“Had we not gotten her on this last (sandbar), we don’t know how far she would’ve gone,” Brown said.
"Oh, it could always be worse," Zickefoose said. "But it could always be better, too. But yeah, the way the water was running, with the heat, it was bad enough.”
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