ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF MARINE PATROL OPERATION
Posted: July 11th, 2010 8:33 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-07/624/36696/Search_Effort_7-11-2010_4-29-40_PM.JPG
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-07/624/36696/CCWRC_Search_Team_7-11-2010_4-34-15_PM.JPG
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-07/624/36696/CCWRC_di_vers.JPG
****** Clackamas County Marine Patrol Recovers Drowned Male From Tualatin RIVER ************* West Linn, Oregon, On Sunday July 11 2010, a Sunday Afternoon barbecue turned into a tragedy with the drowning of one of the guests. The barbecue was being held along the banks of the Tualatin River. The Tualatin River originates in Washington County, Oregon and flows in a slow serpentine eastward and dumps into the Willamette River in West Linn, Oregon. This area is just south of the City of Portland.
A 35 year old male Mexican National, Jose Luis Cervantes Cortes, was attending a barbecue on SW Tualatin Loop off of SW Johnson Road, West Linn, OR. At about 2:24 the Mr. Cervantes decided to go swimming in the Tualatin River. Mr. Cervantes was the first member of the group attending the barbecue to get into the river. Mr. Cervantes jumped from a dock tied to the river bank and was attempting to swim to the other side of the Tualatin River; a distance of about 100 feet. Other persons attending the barbecue heard Mr. Cervantes yelling for help. At first the onlookers thought that Mr. Cervantes was joking and playing around. It became clear that Mr. Cervantes was indeed in trouble and was struggling to stay above the surface of the water. Friends of Mr. Cervantes attempted to swim and boat to his aide but he slipped below the surface before help could reach him.
Nearby residents called 911 (CCOM) and reported the drowning. Members of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol took the initial emergency call and were responding. The Sheriff's Marine Patrol was joined by members of the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium; Lake Oswego Fire Department, Gladstone Fire Department, and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. The search for Jose Cervantes got underway as soon as rescue personnel could safely perform their task. According to divers the river temperature was 70 degrees, a maximum river depth of 9 feet, visibility less than an arms length, with little or no current. This stretch of the Tualatin River is slowed by a low head diversion dam that diverts water flow to feed Lake Oswego.
At about 4:30 p.m. the body of the Jose Luis Cervantes Cortes was located about 20 feet from the river bank on the opposite side of the river. According to divers the loose baggie shorts that Mr. Cervantes was wearing were found at knee level. It is unknown if this contributed to Mr. Cervantes's distress. Mr. Cervantes was taken from the river and turned over to the Clackamas County Medical Examiners Office. The Medical Examiner will take steps to confirm the cause and manner of death. According to the host of the barbeque they were not drinking alcohol; it is unknown if Mr. Cervantes was drinking alcohol before he arrived.
Jose Luis Cervantes Cortes is reported to have been born in Mexico City, Mexico. Friends and extended family said Jose Cervantes was a fisherman in Vera Cruz, Mexico and it was their opinion that he was a good swimmer.
Acting Public Information Officer
Lieutenant Paul Steigleder II
Clackamas County Sheriffs Office
PIO Pager (503) 237-2643
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