Two Missing Anglers Prompt Search in Polk County

Fishing equipment was recovered from the banks of the fast moving river, but the two anglers remain missing.

The anglers are missing and police are searching the Willamette River. Photo by Bonnie King Salem-News.com

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - Two brothers dropped off for a day of fishing at Riverview Park in Independence have been missing since Sunday evening.

Independence Police say 20-year old Alvin Troub, and his brother 8-year old Michael Runyon, were dropped off at Riverview Park in Independence to go fishing. When family members returned to the park two hours later at 4:00 PM ,the two could not be found.

A search was initiated after information about the missing men was reported to the Independence Police Department. The search quickly included Independence Police Officers, Polk County Fire District #1, and the Polk County Sheriff's Office - including their patrol division, river patrol, and search and rescue unit.

Searchers found fishing poles and fishing equipment believed to be used by the missing anglers, but no signs of the young men have been found. The search was hampered by darkness and very thick fog last night but it is continuing.

Independence Police say the search at this point is focusing primarily on the Willamette River, which is high from recent rains and is moving swiftly.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has taken the lead in the search effort.

Anyone who may have seen these young men in or near the Riverview Park between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 PM on Sunday are urged to call the Independence Police Department at (503) 838-1214 or the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (503) 623-9251.