Death investigation
On Sunday just after 8 a.m. the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received information that a raft had overturned in the McKenzie River near Paradise Campground, just upriver from McKenzie Bridge. While enroute, deputies learned that one of the three involved rafters was unconscious and CPR had been performed by bystanders and paramedics. Paramedics report that an hour later, he had died. Deputies arrived on scene and began investigating the circumstances of the death. Initial investigation revealed that the men’s raft capsized and the involved male had gone underwater for some period of time before being pulled to shore by bystanders. All three men had lifejackets in the boat, however none were wearing them at the time of the emergency. The name of the deceased is being withheld at this time.
Death investigation
A missing 76-year-old man was found dead last week in the North Middle Fork of the Willamette River north of Westfir, not far from his vehicle which also went into the water, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. The man was identified Thursday as Walter Albert Biddle. A follow-up investigation and evidence suggests Biddle drove off the road for unknown reasons and crashed into the river, Sgt. Thomas Speldrich said in a news release.
Biddle was reported missing to police around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, with a family member saying he left to run errands and go for a short hike but did not return. The caller said he possibly was hiking somewhere east of Cottage Grove.
The Sheriff Office’s search and rescue personnel, including volunteers, searched late into the night, Speldrich said.Just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, the Cedar Creek Fire Incident Management Team informed the Sheriff’s Office a crew had found a vehicle in the water off Aufderheide Highway near milepost 5, north of Westfir. Biddle was found dead in the river a short distance from the vehicle.
Deputies arrived and confirmed the vehicle and body matched the details regarding Biddle’s disappearance.
The investigation found no evidence of criminal activity, and the death appears to be accidental, Speldrich said.
