What appeared to be an easy rescue on the Boise River today turned into a little bit of an ordeal this afternoon.

Two girls trying to cross the river got stuck when they hit a patch of deep, swift water and climbed up on a log under the bridge at Veterans Memorial Parkway.

A Boise Police bike officer patrolling the Greenbelt spotted the girls around 12:15 p.m. and the Boise Dive Team was called to the scene. Two Dive Team members took a boat out to the girls and gave them life jackets. But as soon as the girls were loaded in the boat it began taking on water and flipped, sending the girls and the rescuers into the current.

They were all able to cling to a rope and the rescuers swung it around to the shore where they could walk out of the water. One of the girls was taken to a nearby hospital complaining of pain.
"This just goes to show that even being well trained and well prepared this is a natural environment that is unpredictable," said Boise Fire Battalion Chief John Peugh. Peugh says that even if you are a strong swimmer you should always wear a life jacket in the Boise River.