New info out as search continues for kayaker who went over Willamette Falls in Oregon City

By Libby Dowsett, KGW

OREGON CITY, Ore. (KGW) — Investigators have turned up more information about the missing kayaker who went over the Willamette Falls in Oregon City late Saturday night, but the search for the man continued without success Monday.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Marine Unit said people camping near the railroad tracks in Oregon City first spotted the kayaker in distress about 200-300 feet away from them, while the kayaker was still about 200 feet from Willamette Falls some time before 11 p.m. Saturday.

Investigators said they believe the 20-year-old kayaker, from California, put in at the floating house rentals just south of the Willamette Falls Scenic Viewpoint, where he was staying with family. They believe he set out on the river at about 10 p.m., shortly after arriving in Oregon City.

"We don't know why he went out at that time, and why he went out so late," said Sgt. Nate Thompson with the Marine Unit. "They had just gotten to the area, and they were unfamiliar with the area."

Thompson said the victim had only kayaked a couple of times on lakes, adding that the family may not have known that there was a waterfall near their rental.

Thompson said at least one witness heard some yelling. A witness was on the phone with 911 dispatchers when they saw the victim frantically rowing away from the falls, not far from a concrete block near the Oregon City side of the river. While still on the call, the witness saw the victim jump into the water and try to swim to safety. Thompson said the kayak went over the falls, followed by the victim.

"There are a lot of signs warning there is a waterfall ahead in this section of the river, most are 6 to 8 feet tall. I don't know what kind of lighting he had, if any," he said.

The blue kayak the man was last seen operating was recovered near Elk Rock Island on the Willamette River, about 7.5 river miles downstream of Willamette Falls.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office urged anyone recreating on the Willamette River between Oregon City and Milwaukie to report any items or information that could assist searchers in their efforts.

Residents at the floating houses said they didn't hear anything unusual until a Coast Guard helicopter showed up around 1 a.m. Sunday. 

"I was up well before 10...10:50 is when they said it happened," said Josh Sommer, who is staying at the floating homes in Oregon City, "then it gets to about 1 a.m., and by then, the helicopters and a police plane circling overhead."

During the summer months, the marine unit official said there are safety buoys to divert people away from the most dangerous part of the falls, but he said there is nothing keeping boats back.

"They are there certain times of the year, but not this time of the year. This water is too high, with too much debris with all the spring runoff," he said.

The conditions are dangerous for boaters as well as the search teams, Thompson said. Searchers spent Sunday canvassing the riverbanks and searching the river to the Sellwood Bridge, but Thompson said with all the water coming off the falls, it's also possible the victim could still be trapped under the falls.

Willamette Falls is the second-largest waterfall in the United States by volume, Thompson said, second only to Niagara Falls. He estimated the drop over the Willamette River is about 30 feet, and said he's never before heard of someone accidentally going over the falls in his time with the sheriff's office.