Searchers continue looking for the body of a 28-year-old Bend man who was last seen Friday kayaking in the Deschutes River in the area of Lava Island Falls, upstream from Meadow Camp. According to the latest information from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office:
On October 1, 2021 at approximately 7:52 p.m., 911 Dispatch received a call regarding a missing kayaker and possible water rescue in the area of Lava Island Falls. Bend Fire and Rescue, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit responded with one deputy and eleven volunteers.
It was determined the kayaker was last seen by his party near Lava Island just upstream from Meadow Camp in Class 4/5 whitewater. Search activities included shore searches, use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones), and water rescue teams. Sheriff’s Office SAR teams searched the area until approximately 2 a.m. on October 2nd. Searchers later found the kayaker’s belongings including his kayak and paddle.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., two deputies and sixteen SAR volunteers responded back to the scene and began searching again. These searches included additional drone flights, shore searches, and water searches by swiftwater and dive rescue team members. Resources remained on scene until just before 7 p.m.
At approximately 9:00 a.m. on October 3, 2021, one deputy and seventeen volunteers responded back to the scene to continue search efforts. They continued searching with drones, rescue swimmers, and shore based searchers. Underwater pole cameras were used to search holes and other underwater features. SAR teams worked until approximately 6 p.m. At this time, the kayaker’s body has still not been located and he is presumed drowned.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Bend Fire and Rescue on the first night; and is still being assisted by the Central Oregon Public Safety Chaplaincy.
