Man pulled out of Skykomish River alive after 30 minutes under

A man was pulled from the Skykomish River outside Sultan on Tuesday afternoon after being underwater for almost 30 minutes.

“He had a pulse when they left the site of the river,” said Snohomish County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Shari Ireton.

Witnesses said the man was acting strangely before he jumped into the water near Sportsman Park, according to an agency news release. Officials were told it looked liked he had been swimming at first, but he eventually called for help after he became more distressed, according to the release. Witnesses called 911 to report he was in the river and yelling. He was under 12 feet of water at one point before he was recovered.

The release states efforts were hindered by swift currents. Ireton said the sheriff's office dive team was unable to get to the scene before the man was pulled from the water.

Snohomish County Fire Districts 5, 7 and 26 responded that day. The crews and people in the area worked to rescue the man, Ireton said.

She said once he was pulled from the river, responders were able to stabilize the man, and he was taken to the hospital. His identity is still unknown, she said.