Search ends for woman, dog feared drowned in river while camping, Oregon rescuers say
A woman and dog camping along the Rogue River are feared drowned after going missing in the water, Oregon firefighters reported.
A bystander pulled the woman’s husband from the river at Indian Mary County Park near Grants Pass at about 5 p.m. Friday, May 12, Rural Metro Fire said in a news release.
The rescue followed an “incident” at the park’s boat ramp, firefighters said. The bystander and rescuers performed CPR on the man until his pulse was restored.
He was taken to a hospital, the release said. No further information on his medical condition was available.
Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies used a drone to search for the woman and dog, who were believed to also be in the river, but could not find them, the release said.
They called off the search at 8 p.m., and the woman and dog are feared drowned, firefighters said.
“Water levels are very high and move deceptively swift below the surface,” firefighters warned. “Melting snowpack keeps the water colder than expected, and will quickly affect muscle function.”
Grants Pass is a city of 39,000 people about 245 miles south of Portland near the California border.
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
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