Years ago, not sure but likely 25, there were two young men tubing on the Susquehanna River in the Binghamton, NY area.
They went over Rock Bottom dam and got stuck in the eddys(?). They remained in their tubes and were for the most part unhurt, just trapped about 100 feet from shore.
The local fire department sent out a 12 foot boat with two firemen in it to "rescue" the kids; they wore lifejackets but they were not tied on.
Result, two firemen drowned when the boat capsized.
The kids were pulled to safety while the river was dragged. The local FD was distraught at the idea of the FD lifevests trapped in the eddys(?) at the base of the damn, a visual reminder of their lost friends. They sent the same boat out to pick them up. Again, the same boat capsized and another fireman drowned. (Not 100% sure, but I think there was a total of 3 firemen lost in this rescue attempt, the kids were pulled to safety).

Nothing beats good training, good equipment and common sense.