Authorities identify Bend kayaker who disappeared, apparently drowned on Deschutes River

(Update: Kayaker identified; search continues)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday released the name of a 28-year-old Bend man who disappeared and apparently drowned on Saturday evening while kayaking on the Deschutes River in the area of Lava Island, prompting an extensive, continued search.

Efforts to find Alex Kollar have included continued shore searches and the use of a K-9 team, said Sgt. Nathan Garibay, assistant Search and Rescue coordinator.

More drone flights also are planned, as well as daily river monitoring, to search for clues or more search opportunities, Garibay said.

Deschutes County 911 dispatchers received a call shortly before 8 p.m. Friday reporting a missing kayaker and possible water rescue in the area of Lava Island Falls, Garibay said Sunday.

Patrol deputies and 11 Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers, along with a SAR unit deputy, responded and learned the kayaker last was seen by fellow kayakers near Lava Island, just upstream from Meadow Camp, in Class 4/5 whitewater, Garibay said.

Initial search efforts included searching the shore, water rescue teams and use of drones to scour the area. SAR teams were on scene until about 2 a.m. Saturday and later found the kayaker’s belongings, including his kayak and paddle, Garibay said.

Two deputies and 16 SAR volunteers returned to the scene Saturday morning and began searching around 8:30 a.m., including more drone flights, shore searches and water searches by swift-water and dive rescue team members. They were on scene until shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, Garibay said.

A deputy and 17 SAR volunteers were back in the area around 9 a.m. Sunday to continue the search efforts, also using underwater pole cameras to search holes and other features below the surface. They were on scene until about 6 p.m.

“At this time, the kayaker’s body has still not been located, and he is presumed drowned,” Garibay said.

The sheriff’s office was assisted Friday night by Bend Fire and Rescue, he said, and the Central Oregon Public Safety Chaplaincy also has been assisting the searchers.