Accident Database

Report ID# 784

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  • Flush Drowning
  • Does not Apply
  • High Water

Accident Description

On April 14th Joseph Moore, 25, fell out of his raft near "Papa Bear," a rapid on Oregon's Molalla River. This Class IV run is about 30 miles south of Portland. That day the river crested at 6500 cfs, three times the maximum flow recommended in the "Soggy Sneakers" guide. The rapids were huge and pushy. One paddler who saw the group said that their rafts looked pretty small for water that big. Another person saw them scouting a rapid while drinking beer. Their raft was last seen floating upright some distance down river. The cooler was open and beer could be seen inside. Rescuers searched the area for the rest of the day without finding the man.

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