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Report ID# 31236

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Accident Description

WOMAN KILLED IN MEMORIAL DAY ROGUE RIVER RAFTING ACCIDENT

Although she was wearing a life jacket, the woman became trapped by the branches of a downed tree, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

Posted: May. 29, 2018

Posted By: Jamie Parfitt

KDRTV.com; Medford, OR

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — One woman is dead following a rafting accident on the Rogue River that occurred on Memorial Day—Monday, May 28. According to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, the accident occurred above Baker Park near Grants Pass.

Dispatch received the call reporting a possible boating accident around 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The caller claimed that a woman had been rafting down the Rogue River when she became trapped in the branches of a downed tree that had recently fallen in a wind storm. The woman was later identified as 47-year-old Sharlene Wright.

JCSO Marine Patrol and Oregon State Police personnel rushed to the area by boat. They were assisted by Hellgate Jet Boat Excursions and Grants Pass firefighters in recovering Wright's body.

According to JCSO, Wright was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. Wright's body has been released to Hull and Hull Funeral Directors, and her next of kin has been notified.

In a statement, JCSO urges the public to use caution and keep safety as a priority as temperatures rise and recreation on area waterways increases.

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