Portland Courant

Just after 4 p.m., on Friday, July 29, 2022, Multnomah County sheriff’s deputies and firefighters from the Corbett and Gresham Fire Departments responded to the Sandy River near Dabney State Park for a report of a water rescue. The caller reported that they had witnessed a man enter the water by himself and suddenly begin to struggle. The caller reported that the man went underwater and had not resurfaced.

Firefighters launched rescue boats and used equipment to scale the steep riverbank to access the river. Corbett firefighters waded into the water and located the man underwater using a handheld sonar device called AquaEye. AMR lifeguards helped bring the man to the surface, and he was carried up the riverbank to paramedics.

Paramedics transported the man to an area hospital. Despite lifesaving attempts, the swimmer did not survive and was declared deceased at the hospital.

The man’s identity is being withheld until next of kin notifications are complete. No further information about this specific incident will be shared at this time.

Today’s response is the third major, multi-agency water rescue call in the Sandy River since Wednesday, July 27.

On Wednesday, a stand-up paddler fell into the water and drowned near Oxbow Park. On Thursday, at Oxbow Park, a family of three narrowly survived after being swept by the current; all three were taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation. And today, unfortunately, a swimmer did not survive near Dabney State Park.

As hot temperatures are forecasted to continue through the weekend, the emergency services community is urging people who plan to go to a local river or lake, to visit a park where a lifeguard is present, such as Glenn Otto Park in Troutdale, and to wear a lifejacket at all times when swimming, floating, paddling, boating, or playing near the water. Lifejackets can be borrowed for free, (no identification required), at these locations: 

• Glenn Otto Park
• Dabney State Park
• Oxbow Regional Park
• Dodge Park
• Lewis and Clark Park

The Sandy River is dangerous year-round, and the river bottom is rocky, uneven and surprisingly deep in some locations. The water may be stronger and colder than nearby rivers because the Sandy River is fed by glacier runoff from Mount Hood. Use caution when swimming in the Sandy River.

Image description: MCSO patrol vehicle at the scene of the water rescue

Image description: AquaEye sonar device in use by the Corbett Fire Department (photo taken June 2022)

Original source can be found here.