Three engine companies, the department's river rescue unit, a medic unit, and the shift commander were dispatched to the river near Joyce Park, on Joe Nuxhall Way, about 7:30 p.m. on the report.
Hamilton police located the boy initially, and the city medic unit arrived simultaneously with the shift commander.
Rescuers found the teenager approximately 20 to 30 feet from shore, holding on to a rope that was hanging from a tree. He appeared to be very cold and was tiring, but he was conscious and alert.
There were other people at the river, Wirtz said, but the teenager was the only one in the water when fire/rescue personnel arrived.
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The two paramedics on the medic unit threw him a rope and pulled him to shore.
He was taken to a hospital by the medic unit for further observation.
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