Rescue officials say several Washington state Corrections Department inmates jumped into a chilly, fast-moving creek to help rescue three young boaters who were dumped into the water when their kayak overturned.

The three brothers, aged 8, 10 and 16, were rescued safely on Wednesday and the inmates made it to shore as well.

Clark County Fire District 6 Chief Jerry Green says the three boys and two inmates were taken to nearby hospitals with mild hypothermia.

Green says the water temperature in Salmon Creek was 45 degrees.

The Larch Corrections Center inmate work crew was doing park maintenance when they heard screams for help. Officials say inmate Nelson Pettis jumped in, as did inmate Larry Bohn. The Columbian reports they helped the two younger boys get onto a pile of floating debris in the creek until they could be rescued.

Bohn says he also helped the 16-year-old to shore.

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Information from: The Columbian, http://www.columbian.com