• Bond would aid emergency responders: The proposed $76 million TCC bond issue would help fund a regional training center for firefighters and other emergency workers.
• Homeless woman found not guilty due to insanity in arson that killed 4: Judge backs insanity defense of woman who set blaze to keep warm
• Moyock volunteer fire department calls for help
• BRIEF: At least 100 evacuated in Mercato fire
• BRIEF: Two school playgrounds burn; juveniles cited in first fire

May 9--A clam digger on Key Peninsula was rescued by some quick-thinking firefighters Thursday afternoon after he got stuck in the tideflats with the tide coming in, fire officials said.

According to a news release from the Key Peninsula Fire Department: The man, described as "elderly," was about 1,000 feet from shore when he got stuck in the mucky sand near Penrose State Park.

By the time rescuers arrived, he had sunk up to his knees.

Battalion Chief Hal Wolverton called for the Anderson Island Fire Department's boat and mounted a plan of action. A life jacket was placed on the man as firefighters and others worked to dig him out. When the boat arrived, the tide was up to the man's shoulders.

Firefighters on the boat were able to sink a hose into the mud near his feet and use high-pressure water to loosen the mud and float him out.

The man was taken to a Tacoma hospital for treatment for hypothermia, but wasn't otherwise injured.

Ian Demsky, The News Tribune

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