Eric Newman

The Republic | azcentral.com

A Mesa man was rescued from the Salt River late last week after becoming stranded in a spot surrounded by rushing water, Mesa police said.

Police rescued the man by helicopter March 2, bringing him to safety by having him hang on a helicopter skid alongside the bottom of the chopper.

At about 7:40 p.m. a person walking on a path just north of Sloan Park, site of the Chicago Cubs spring training, heard cries for help and immediately contacted authorities.

A police helicopter located the man on the north side of the river perched on debris, police said.

Mesa police said the man told officers he was unable to make it back to shore due to the river current, which was flowing after heavy rains that forced Salt River Project to release water from upstream dams. He also indicated he was weak because of the cold water, police said.

The helicopter crew determined it would be able to reach the man with its aircraft, police said. After maneuvering the helicopter over the victim, he was able to hold onto the bottom of the helicopter and was lifted to safety. He was put down on the shoreline, where he was treated by officers and medics, police said.

The man was not seriously injured. He told authorities he was living in the river bottom and had made a raft to attempt to retrieve his belongings from an island but was swept away by rushing water.