On July 22, authorities recognized two persons who had been killed in an accident that occurred at a waterfall in central Oregon. At the same time, search operations for one person who had gone missing continued.
According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the two individuals who were killed in the accident were named as Amanda Lloyd, who was 40 years old and from Rockwall, Texas, and Lindsay Bashan, who was 33 years old and from Parkland, Florida. In the meantime, the authorities continued their hunt for the final person who had gone missing, a male who had not yet been identified.
The catastrophe took place on the afternoon of July 19, when a group of six persons were pushed over Dillon Falls on the Deschutes River. The falls are located around 10 miles southwest of the city of Bend. According to the sheriff’s office, the party had been floating on inner tubes that were roped together when they hit the Class V rapids, which are known for their high level of hazard.
“Dillon Falls is an extremely dangerous section of the Deschutes River, marked by a dramatic 15-foot drop and classified as a Class 5 Rapid,” the sheriff’s office warned in a statement on July 22. “The falls are classified as a Class 5 Rapid.” “It features long, violent, and obstructed sections of whitewater with rocks, logs, and other debris that pose serious hazards even to experienced paddlers.”
Investigators were able to learn that three members of the group, who were rescued from the scene, had leaped from their tubes and made it to shore, according to the sheriff’s office. However, the other three individuals were carried away by the rapids.
It has been stated by the authorities that the identities of the three individuals who survived are being hidden out of respect for their privacy.
The public is strongly encouraged to avoid the Dillon Falls region by the authorities.
According to the sheriff’s office, search efforts continued to be active on July 22. These efforts included divers, aircraft, and a K-9 team.
“If the final missing individual is not found today, side-scanning sonar will be brought in to assist with deeper underwater searches,” according to information provided by the sheriff’s office.
During the time that activities are taking place, the authorities have requested that the general public refrain from entering the Dillon Falls region. They have indicated that any intervention or unintended interruption could slow down and hinder the search efforts.
Additionally, the sheriff’s office warned individuals who were enjoying themselves on the Deschutes River to:
- Understand the water: Get familiar with the river or lake you are on and the areas where it is safe to launch and take out your boat. Be aware of any cautions or notices that are placed.
- Wear a life jacket: You should always have a personal flotation device on you or readily available, and you should always wear a life jacket. It has the potential to determine whether or not a person lives or dies.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and using drugs because impairment is a primary contributor to many accidents that involve water. Maintain your sobriety in order to avoid danger.
Dillon Falls has been the location of a number of previous fatalities.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture and the tourist information center in central Oregon, the Dillon Falls region is a well-liked destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, water activities, picnics, and watching the cascade. In addition, the waterfall has been the location of a number of other tragic events in the years prior.
In the year 2022, a man who was 41 years old passed away within an innertube when he was floating over Dillon Falls. It was stated by the Bend Bulletin that in 2018, a well-known blind athlete from Bend and her father were paddling their canoe in the waters above Dillon Falls when they lost control of their vessel, which ultimately led to the death of the father.
