One Person Remains Missing in the Clackamas River After Rescue

Clackamas officials say two people were rescued.

Salem-News.com file photo

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - A report of a man in the Clackamas River having difficulty came in this afternoon at 4:50 p.m., Detective Jeffrey Green with the Clackamas Sheriff said.

The response led a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine unit to the High Rocks area of the Clackamas River.

Witnesses reportedly saw a person floating into the area of the rapids and not coming up, near the walking bridge between Gladstone and Oregon City.

"As the Sheriff's Office boat arrived in the area, personnel came across two persons in the water, having difficulty and yelling for assistance," Green said.

"The deputies were able to throw rope bags to both persons and successfully bring them to the boat. Neither person was wearing personal floatation devices."

The two persons rescued were 19-year old Adam J. Kunkel of Milwaukie, Oregon, and 18-year old Caroline R. Oaks of Gresham, Oregon.

Green says both persons were reported to have jumped into the river at High Rocks.

"Both were taken to the river shore. The marine unit, along with members of the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium continued to search the river for the missing person."

Consortium members included Gladstone Fire Department, Clackamas Fire District #1, Lake Oswego Fire Department, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

The river was searched by boat and with underwater cameras without success in finding the missing male. Drivers were not deployed due to the water conditions.

Green says the search water terminated at about 6:20 p.m. due to water visibility and conditions.

"The male believed to be missing has been identified as 24-year old Zachary Rollins of Portland, Oregon. It is not known for certain where he entered the river. He is not believed to be associated with Kunkel or Oaks. It is not believed that Rollins was wearing a personal floatation device."

Green says the water temperature earlier in the day was approximately 47 degrees.