News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

One person missing in Clackamas River, two rescued

Posted: April 21, 2009 8:30 p.m.

On April 21, 2009 at about 4:50 p.m., the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit responded to a report of a man in the river having difficulty on the High Rocks area of the Clackamas River.

Witnesses reported seeing the male floating into the area of the rapids, going under and not resurfacing near the walking bridge between Gladstone and Oregon City.

As the Sheriff's Office patrol boat arrived in the area, personnel came across two additional persons in the water having difficulty and yelling for assistance. The deputies were able to throw rope bags to both persons and successfully bring them to the boat. Neither person was wearing a personal floatation device.

The two persons rescued were:

Both persons had reportedly jumped into the river at High Rocks. Both were taken to the river shore.

The Sheriff's Office Marine Unit boat -- along with members of the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium, including personnel from the Gladstone Fire Department, Clackamas Fire District #1, Lake Oswego Fire Department, and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue -- continued to search the river for the missing person.

The river was searched by boat and with underwater cameras. The missing male was not found. Drivers were not deployed due to the hostile water conditions. The river search terminated at about 6:20 p.m. on April 21, due to water visibility and conditions.

The male believed to be missing has been identified as Zachary Rollins (DOB 04-01-1985) of Portland, Oregon. It is not known for certain where he entered the river. He is not believed to be associated with Kunkel or Oaks. It is not believed that Rollins was wearing a personal floatation device.

The water temperature earlier in the day was approximately 47 degrees.

The search is ongoing, with periodic shore checks. At press time, a dive team is assessing the feasibility of a water search -- a treacherous proposition given the hostile conditions. Tentative plans are for a dive team to deploy in the High Rocks/Clackamette Park area at approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 22.

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Contact Info: Detective Jeffrey Green
Secondary Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office