PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Recovery teams are searching for a teenager after he was last seen getting swept under the Bridge of the Gods Wednesday afternoon, officials say.
According to the Pacific Northwest Coast Guard, the 19-year-old male first entered the Columbia River at the marina by Thunder Island in the Cascade Locks area. Authorities say the emergency call came in around 1:17 p.m.
Rescue teams searched the area by boat and helicopter, but according to the Hood River Sheriff’s Office, “spill ways were open at the dam at the time, so searching below the dam in case.”
According to the USCG, search teams covered 46 nautical miles of the river for 2.5 hours. Officials tell KOIN 6 News that at this point, it’s a recovery situation. They plan to resume searching Thursday morning.
“Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and family of the missing man during this unimaginably difficult time,” USCG said in a tweet.
The teenager’s identity has yet to be released.
Stay with KOIN 6 as we receive more information.
