PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 15-year-old boy drowned at Oxbow Park Monday afternoon.
The boy’s family called 911 just after 3:15 p.m. to report that he had gone under.
The boy had been wading about knee-deep in the water and then went under.
Officials said there is a sharp drop-off in the water there and it’s unclear whether he was wearing a life jacket.
“As we know with this area, it drops off quick. Very quick and the current picks up,” Lt. Anthony Foster with Gresham Fire said. “It’s hard if you’re not a very good swimmer.”
A park ranger was in the water shortly after he went missing trying to help. A private helicopter and US Coast Guard flew overhead trying to see him but had no luck.
“The family had a good last seen point and on arrival, they were waiting for us to show us where he was,” Foster said.
Dive teams searched for hours but called it a recovery mission around 5 p.m.
His body was found around 7 p.m. a little downstream from where he was last seen.
“Whether you’re a child or an adult, these rivers are not a pool and it’s important to wear life jackets,” Foster said.
An 8-year-old boy also drowned at Oxbow Park on July 30. There are life jackets available to borrow at the park.