Sunken ATV pulled from Deschutes River

The owners have yet to be found, but an ATV that was driven into the Deschutes River and sank was recovered Friday from the swift-running water south of Sunriver by Deschutes County sheriff’s marine deputies and a search-and-rescue dive team.

Marine deputies were notified around 3 p.m. Thursday of the submerged ATV, behind a home on Upland Road, said Sgt. Ronny Dozier.

Around 10 a.m. Friday, marine deputies Eric Brown and Rusty Foster began recovery efforts with three members of the dive team, Leo and Kevin Renk and Jason Hardy.

The ATV was found in about 10 feet of water and 50 feet from either bank, Dozier said, adding that recovery efforts were made more challenging by the swift current and soft river bed.

After about two hours, using inflatable air bags, the ATV was lifted from the river bed and towed downriver to the Oregon Water Wonderland boat launch, where it was winched onto the shore, Dozier said.

He said it was a Class Iv side-by-side 2005 Yamaha Rhino 660.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that two females had driven the ATV into the river, then swam to safety. But Dozier said authorities are not yet sure exactly how the ATV got into the Deschutes and why the owner had not removed it.

The case remains under investigation, Dozier said, and more information will be released when available.