Stranded Bend kayaker, 13, rescued in tricky effort

(Update: DCSO says boy is experienced kayaker, has run rapids several times)

A 13-year-old Bend boy escaped injury when he became separated from his kayak in the turbulent Deschutes River south of Bend Wednesday evening. But it took a tricky, three-hour rescue effort to safely remove him by raft from the small, rocky island where he’d ended up, surrounded by rapids.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Bend Fire Department responded around 5:42 p.m. to the call of a water rescue at Lava Island Falls, said Sgt. Nathan Garibay, the sheriff’s office’s emergency services manager.

Deputies and fire department responders found the teen standing on the small island between Lava Island and the east bank of the river, surrounded by rapids, Garibay said, noting that Lava Island Falls is considered Class V whitewater.

Due to the boy’s location in the rapids, officials decided a technical rescue was needed to get him safely to shore.

More rescuers were called in, including nine members of the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Swiftwater Team and several members of the Bend Fire Department Special Rescue Team, Garibay said.

The agencies partnered to develop a tether system that includes a rescue raft tethered to both shores and an upstream haul system to maneuver the raft to the stranded boy. Also, two rescue swimmers were taken to the kayaker’s location, where they helped him into the raft and back to the east score.

Garibay said it’s his understanding that the boy “is very skilled and experienced” at kayaking on the Deschutes.

“He kayaks with a group and has run those rapids several times,” he added.

Garibay said the sheriff’s office wanted to thank several area residents who not only reported the incident but directed rescuers to the location, hauled equipment and remained with the boy until first responders arrived.

The agency also is “thankful for the skill and professionalism of our partner agencies,” such as the Bend Fire Department, he added.