Dave Aszman, 18, was kayaking on a swift portion of the Bull Run River near Portand, OR , just upstream from Dodge Park at about 3:00 p.m. on March 1, 1999. With him was his friend, Erik Eekhoff, 27. According to his brother, Aszman was playing a hole just upstream of a big log. He capsized, and his  kayak hit the log broadside, twisted and went under.

 Eekhoff climbed onto the log and attempted to get Aszman off. When he was not successful, he paddled downstream to Dodge Park . He ran through the park  - where he asked park visitors to call 911 - until he reached the Portland Water Bureau's Office. 

"He said he needed a chainsaw-- quick," a Portland city worker said. "His friend was trapped under a tree."

Several city workers grabbed a chainsaw and drove Eekhoff back to the park, then ran along a shoreline trail to where Aszman was trapped. Eekhoff paddled his kayak across the swollen river to the tree, rigged a harness to support himself and cut the tree free. The kayak popped to the surface, but it stayed upside down and they couldn't see if there was anyone inside.

The kayak swept past a score of water rescuers from the Clackamas County Interagency Water Rescue Team who had rushed to the river to help. They were not convinced that Aszman was still in his kayak, so they began a search of the entire river in inflatable boats. Rescuers quickly spotted a life vest, zipped and buckled, on a small island across from the park. It was later determined to belong to Aszman. After two hours, hopes of making a rescue dimmed. By dusk, the search was called off. It was set to resume the next day.

SOURCE: Article by Stuart Tomlinson , Portland Oregonian;  Jacob Selander posting to rec.boats.paddle

(Walbridge) This is the second strainer death to hit the Northwest in less than a month. Since the danger of these hazards is well known, boaters should always check downstream before playing in waves or holes.