Rescued man refuses help, returns to water after being pulled from river

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A man returned to the water moments after being rescued from the Columbia River, refusing to be helped by Vancouver officials the second time around.

Just before 5 p.m. on Sept. 5, Vancouver police responded to a report that a man was brought back to shore after being rescued from the Columbia River by a passerby on a jet ski.

When officers and fire crews responded to the scene to evaluate the man, he reportedly started walking back into the water and swam hundreds of yards from the shore.

After officials used a fireboat to reach the man, authorities say he refused help in getting out of the water. But two rescue swimmers managed to safely hoist the man back into the boat.

Authorities say he was nearly hypothermic when he reached the shore and was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

No further information, including the current condition of the man, has been released at this time.

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