Man presumed dead after trying to save woman from drowning in Yachats River

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The U.S. Coast Guard is still searching for a man who is presumed to be dead after saving another individual in the Yachats State Recreation Area.

On Sunday around 4:39 p.m., fire agencies from Yachats, Seal Rock and the Central Oregon Coast responded to reports of a woman attempting to swim to shore near Yachats River. But before first responders arrived on the scene, officials said the agencies learned a man had jumped into the water to rescue the swimmer.

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The Yachats Rural Fire Protection District later announced that a bystander helped crews lift two women — who were wearing personal flotation devices — from the water and onto the shore at the south end of the recreation area.

The agency reported that firefighters “had intermittent visual contact with something in the water, but it was too far from shore to be positively identified.”

First responders said a female bystander ventured into the river in an attempt to find the man who had gone missing, even though firefighters advised her against doing so.

“After swimming against the current for some time, she was able to make it back towards the shore, and personnel deployed a rope throw bag, which she was able to take hold of,” Yachats firefighters wrote.

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Oregon State Police arrested the woman after fire crews pulled her back to the shore.

The Coast Guard later deployed a helicopter, ground crew and two motor life boats to assist with the search for the missing swimmer, although firefighters left the scene around 6:35 p.m. Officials presume the man is deceased.

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