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'Rage On The River' Makes Busy Day For Emergency Crews

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A large fight at the Swabbies bar caused quite a commotion – just one of the many incidents authorities responded to Sunday.

At one point, there were more than a dozen police cars at the scene. Officers say no one was seriously injured. Law enforcement was already out in force along the river for the alcohol-filled "Rage on the River" event that takes places every year.

In more scary moments, two women had to be rescued near Discovery Park.

Sacramento firefighters rushed to the area to perform CPR. While they couldn't say what led up to the emergency, witnesses say the person fell off a boat.

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"Then when she fell off the boat, the policeman just came over there, they took her over here and they were just pumping her heart," said witness Latina Dawson. "They were just pumping and pumping for like 10 or 15 minutes."

It happened around 5:30 p.m. – the same time crews had to react to another person who was unresponsive.

Both were taken to the hospital.

"I have kids and grandkids, and I don't want to see that happen to no one," said Iris Garner, another witness.

But it's something emergency responders were prepared for. Rage on the River attracts tens of thousands to the Discovery Park area every year.

And the alcohol was flowing.

"Last year we had the same event. We did over 20 rescues in a two-hour period.  And this year we were very well prepared," said Roberto Padilla with the Sacramento Fire Department.

With three Sacramento Fire boats out on the water and multiple law enforcement agencies from surrounding areas keeping watch, there was a major effort to prevent drownings.

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Firefighters say they know people want to have a good time, but when you're mixing alcohol, water, and heat, it's also important to stay responsible. It can be a lethal cocktail these families say no one wants to see.

"Scary. Because I'm like have fun but be safe on the water. And you know to see that, that's somebody's child," Garner said.

While there were only two water rescues today, authorities had to assist with five water-related incidents.

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