Napa, CA – A Napa man in his 50s was rescued early Saturday morning after spending hours trapped in dense vegetation along the Napa River, just south of the Lincoln Avenue bridge. Authorities reported that the man became stuck around 2:40 a.m. after slipping down a steep embankment while searching for his dropped phone.
The man, who was later identified as a Napa resident, found himself entangled in thick brush, with his feet and legs ensnared and unable to move. Though he was able to keep his upper body above the cold, rushing current, his torso was submerged in the water. The strong current, made more powerful by recent storms, posed an added risk to his safety.
First responders, including police and fire crews, were dispatched to the scene following a call for help. Fire Capt. Aaron Baracco explained that the location, which borders private property, is not easily accessible by walking paths. Firefighters quickly cleared the brush and rigged a hauling system to safely lift the man from the steep embankment.
“I’m (expletive) freezing, man,” the man told rescuers upon reaching them. His desperate plea highlighted the severity of the situation as he had been trapped for approximately three hours before help arrived.
Firefighters used a victim harness to hoist the man to safety. He was then transported to Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center for treatment of mild hypothermia. After receiving care, he was released, and his condition was reported to be stable.
The rescue operation took approximately one hour, from the time police alerted the fire department to the man’s extraction. The incident underscored the dangers posed by the river’s swift currents and the challenging terrain in that area of Napa.
Authorities have reminded the public to exercise caution near the river, especially after storms, when the water levels and current can become unpredictable.