A multi-agency search operation continued Monday after a group of six individuals went over Dillon Falls on the Deschutes River west of Bend Saturday afternoon. Three individuals were rescued from the river and transported to St. Charles-Bend by ambulance. One female was confirmed deceased at the scene.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) confirms that divers with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) team located and recovered the body of a second victim shortly after 11:00 a.m. Monday. The female was found below Dillon Falls on the Deschutes River west of Bend.
Search and rescue operations continue in the area as one individual is still missing. A human remains detection K-9 has been brought in again today to assist. At this time, DCSO can confirm three survivors and two deceased females. One male member of the party is still unaccounted for.
SAR teams continue to work diligently, using all available resources. Over the past two days, crews have utilized boats, drones, swift water rescue teams, and K-9 units to search, map, and narrow down high-probability locations along the river corridor between the Dillon Falls Day Use Area above the falls and the Aspen Day Use Area below the falls.
The 9-1-1 call reporting the incident was received at 2:57 p.m. on Saturday, July 19th. Since then, local resources have supported the efforts by the DCSO SAR team, including assistance from Bend Fire & Rescue, Bend Police Department, and AirLink.
The names of those involved are not being released at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the families affected and remains committed to exhausting all possibilities in the ongoing search effort.
