Around 5:15 p.m., on June 26, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office River Patrol Unit deputies responded to a report of a missing swimmer near the west end of Lemon Island in the Columbia River. Witnesses reported that the man did not resurface after jumping into the water from a boat to help a woman in the water, who was struggling to swim. The woman was able to get to safety.
Firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue and the Port of Portland Fire Department also responded in rescue boats and helped deputies perform a series of searches that included using underwater scanning technology. A U.S Coast Guard helicopter joined the search efforts as well.
Unfortunately, after an extensive search, the swimmer was not located. It is presumed the man drowned. It was reported that he was not wearing a life jacket.
The man’s identity is being withheld until next of kin notifications are complete.
Source: Portland Fire Bureau