National Guard Searches For Missing Oregon City Man

One of the 1042nd`s Blackhawk medical unit helicopters Photo By: Tim King

(Salem) - The Oregon Air National Guard Helicopter, 1042 Medical Company, out of Salem flew onto the scene Sunday to help search the Clackamas River for a missing man.

Unsuccessful in the search all day Sunday, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue personnel will resume the search on Monday at 8:00 AM.

30-year old Albert S. Zverev, of Oregon City has been missing since Saturday night.

At 12:30 AM Sunday, his brother contacted the Clackamas County Sheriff`s Office, and Albert had not been seen for four hours. He told authorities he had been recreating with his brother along the Clackamas River in the area of Hot Springs, along State Hwy 224, east of Estacada. He last observed his brother intoxicated, standing along the bank of the river.

Clackamas County Search and Rescue personnel coordinated the effort Sunday, assisted by Clackamas County Marine Rescue personnel. The Marine Rescue Unit responded after daylight to join the search operation along the Clackamas River. Understandably, the river is moving very swiftly, with a large volume of water, which is attributed to the persistent heavy rainfall.

The Oregon Air National Guard`s helicopter is equipped with a five-person unit on board, as is standard for this type of operation. AMR has their specialized unit, Reach and Treat (RAT) on standby, in the event the missing man is located in difficult terrain and in need of immediate attention. Members of the Portland Mountain Rescue Unit are also contributing to his search and rescue event.

Monday`s search effort will enlist at least some of the individuals who participated in today's search along the 3-5 mile stretch of the Clackamas River in the Mount Hood National Forest. This is a difficult area for personnel to communicate with one another. Cell phones are not functioning, and radio communication with SAR members on the scene is difficult.

Search and rescue personnel are resting tonight, in preparation for another strenuous day of exploration.