Man fishing with family found dead after river sweeps him away, Oregon cops say
A 28-year-old man swept away by swift river currents while fishing with his family was found dead a short time later, Oregon sheriff’s officials reported.
A text to 911 notified authorities of a person lost along the John Day River at 2:36 p.m. Saturday, July 5, the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The river is about a 200-mile drive southeast from Portland.
Deputies and firefighters responded to the area upriver from Cottonwood State Park, sheriff’s officials said.
They discovered the man had been swept away from shore and pulled underwater by swift currents while fishing with his family, deputies said.
His family found the man about 10 minutes later, but lifesaving efforts by his family and bystanders could not revive him, deputies said.
The Portland man was pronounced dead, deputies said.
Deputies warned that the river is flowing faster than normal.
What to know about drownings
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 July 7, 2025 at 10:43 AM with the headline "Man fishing with family found dead after river sweeps him away, Oregon cops say."