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News Release

Update To Missing Kayaker On Deschutes River - 10/06/21

Update 10/06/21

Released by:            Sgt. Nathan Garibay, Assistant Search and Rescue Coordinator

Missing Person:        Alex Kollar, 28 year old male, Bend resident

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has been continuing efforts to locate Alex Kollar who went missing while kayaking the Deschutes River in the area of Lava Island. Efforts have included continued shore searches and the use of a canine team. Additional and reoccurring drone flights are planned as well as daily river monitoring to search for clues or additional search opportunities.

Kollar's family requests privacy at this time and we ask for the public and media to respect their wishes.

 

End of Update

 

Original Release

Released by:              Sgt. Nathan Garibay, Assistant Search and Rescue Coordinator 

Release Date:            October 3, 2021

Location:                   Deschutes River near Lava Island (Upstream from Meadow Camp)

Missing Person:          28 year old male

                                 Bend, Oregon resident

Narrative: 

On October 1, 2021 at approximately 7:52 p.m., 911 Dispatch received a call regarding a missing kayaker and possible water rescue in the area of Lava Island Falls.  Bend Fire and Rescue, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit responded with one deputy and eleven volunteers.

It was determined the kayaker was last seen by his party near Lava Island just upstream from Meadow Camp in Class 4/5 whitewater.  Search activities included shore searches, use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones), and water rescue teams.  Sheriff’s Office SAR teams searched the area until approximately 2 a.m. on October 2nd. Searchers later found the kayaker’s belongings including his kayak and paddle.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., two deputies and sixteen SAR volunteers responded back to the scene and began searching again. These searches included additional drone flights, shore searches, and water searches by swiftwater and dive rescue team members. Resources remained on scene until just before 7 p.m.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on October 3, 2021, one deputy and seventeen volunteers responded back to the scene to continue search efforts. They continued searching with drones, rescue swimmers, and shore based searchers.  Underwater pole cameras were used to search holes and other underwater features. SAR teams worked until approximately 6 p.m. At this time, the kayaker’s body has still not been located and he is presumed drowned.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Bend Fire and Rescue on the first night; and is still being assisted by the Central Oregon Public Safety Chaplaincy.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 191 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

Update To Missing Kayaker On Deschutes River - 10/06/21

Update 10/06/21

Released by:            Sgt. Nathan Garibay, Assistant Search and Rescue Coordinator

Missing Person:        Alex Kollar, 28 year old male, Bend resident

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has been continuing efforts to locate Alex Kollar who went missing while kayaking the Deschutes River in the area of Lava Island. Efforts have included continued shore searches and the use of a canine team. Additional and reoccurring drone flights are planned as well as daily river monitoring to search for clues or additional search opportunities.

Kollar's family requests privacy at this time and we ask for the public and media to respect their wishes.

 

End of Update

 

Original Release

Released by:              Sgt. Nathan Garibay, Assistant Search and Rescue Coordinator 

Release Date:            October 3, 2021

Location:                   Deschutes River near Lava Island (Upstream from Meadow Camp)

Missing Person:          28 year old male

                                 Bend, Oregon resident

Narrative: 

On October 1, 2021 at approximately 7:52 p.m., 911 Dispatch received a call regarding a missing kayaker and possible water rescue in the area of Lava Island Falls.  Bend Fire and Rescue, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit responded with one deputy and eleven volunteers.

It was determined the kayaker was last seen by his party near Lava Island just upstream from Meadow Camp in Class 4/5 whitewater.  Search activities included shore searches, use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones), and water rescue teams.  Sheriff’s Office SAR teams searched the area until approximately 2 a.m. on October 2nd. Searchers later found the kayaker’s belongings including his kayak and paddle.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., two deputies and sixteen SAR volunteers responded back to the scene and began searching again. These searches included additional drone flights, shore searches, and water searches by swiftwater and dive rescue team members. Resources remained on scene until just before 7 p.m.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on October 3, 2021, one deputy and seventeen volunteers responded back to the scene to continue search efforts. They continued searching with drones, rescue swimmers, and shore based searchers.  Underwater pole cameras were used to search holes and other underwater features. SAR teams worked until approximately 6 p.m. At this time, the kayaker’s body has still not been located and he is presumed drowned.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Bend Fire and Rescue on the first night; and is still being assisted by the Central Oregon Public Safety Chaplaincy.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 191 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.