Accident Database

Report ID# 4026

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  • PFD Not Worn or Present
  • Does not Apply
  • Cold Water
  • Solo Paddling

Accident Description

Grants Pass, Ore. — Law enforcement in Josephine County are searching for a kayaker on the Rogue River in Grants Pass after he went missing Sunday. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office says 26-year old Corey Maleski left Tom Pierce Park before 8 Sunday morning and planned to meet friends at Riverside Park shortly after, but he never showed.

Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Search & Rescue Volunteers went to the area to begin a search. One Marine Deputy found the unoccupied kayak downriver from Riverside Park. The Sheriff’s office says Maleski had a yellow life jacket tied to the front of the kayak when he left in the morning but it was missing from the kayak when it was found. It’s unknown if Maleski put the life jacket on. Search efforts Sunday were suspended at approximate 6 pm due to low light conditions but resumed Monday morning. Oregon State Police Game Division and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division are assisting the Josephine County Sheriff’s Marine Deputy and Search & Rescue Volunteers with continued search efforts on the river.

Solo Paddler, No PFD .

Grants Pass, Ore. — Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies have recovered the body of missing kayaker Cory Maleski. Maleski was reported missing on January 24th, after he was last seen kayaking on the Rogue River. Friday morning, a resident reported a body in the river about a mile downstream from Griffin Park. Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Rural-Metro Fire Department recovered the body about 3 feet from the bank. Officials have identified the body as Cory Maleski, who was reported missing on Jan. 24 after he was last seen kayaking in the Rogue River.  Deputies have confirmed that Corey Moleski was not wearing a life jacket at the time he entered the water but that one was tied to his kayak. That life jacket has not been found.

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