Rafter dies after she’s thrown into river rapids during group outing, Oregon cops say
A 66-year-old died after she was thrown from a raft into river rapids in southern Oregon, deputies said.
Mary Kohn of Powers was rafting at about 12:41 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, through the Two-Mile Rapids at the Rogue River, the Curry County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
At one point, she was flipped from the raft with another woman and her Australian Shepard, Teddy, deputies said.
Other rafters helped the two women to the shoreline, but deputies said Kohn had drowned.
Her dog was never found as of June 25, deputies said. Teddy was wearing a pink collar.
Deputies said none of the rafters had life jackets on, even though the flotation devices were onboard.
Kohn’s body was taken to the Redwood Memorial Services in Brookings.
The Two-Mile Rapids is in southwestern Oregon, about a 180-mile drive southwest from Eugene.
Thousands of people drown every year
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.”
This story was originally published June 25, 2024 at 1:11 PM with the headline "Rafter dies after she’s thrown into river rapids during group outing, Oregon cops say."
