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.