Rafter drowned near Paradise Campground

MCKENZIE BRIDGE: On Sunday, at approximately 8:18 am, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a raft had overturned in the McKenzie River near Paradise Campground. Paradise campground is located just upriver from McKenzie Bridge.

While en route, deputies learned that one of the three involved rafters was unconscious and CPR had been performed by bystanders and paramedics. At 9:14 a.m, paramedics at the scene advised the involved male had died.

Lane County Sheriff’s Sergeant Tom Speldrich said deputies arrived on the scene and began investigating the circumstances of the death. The initial investigation revealed that the men’s raft capsized and the involved male had gone underwater for some period of time before being pulled to shore by bystanders.

All three men had lifejackets in the boat, however, none were wearing them at the time of the accident.

Police said the name of the deceased is being withheld at this time.