Search And Rescue Efforts Ongoing After Six People Go Over Dillon Falls On The Deschutes River West Of Bend (Photo) -07/20/25
***UPDATE: JULY 20TH, 6:45PM***
Search and Rescue Efforts Continue at Dillon Falls West of Bend
Deschutes County, OR – Search and rescue operations resumed at 8:00 a.m. this morning as crews continue looking for the two individuals still missing after Saturday’s incident at Dillon Falls on the Deschutes River west of Bend.
Two drones were deployed early in the day by Bend Police Department to search the Dillon Falls area in coordination with swiftwater rescue team members. Three K9 teams also assisted, working alongside marine patrol boats to search the area downstream of Dillon Falls for approximately three hours.
15 swiftwater rescue team members were deployed to physically search high-interest areas identified by drone imagery and visual reconnaissance.
Recovery operations occurred throughout the day. No additional updates on identities are available at this time. Recovery efforts will continue on Monday.
***ORIGINAL MEDIA RELEASE***
Deschutes County, Ore. – A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway after a group of six individuals went over Dillon Falls on the Deschutes River west of Bend Saturday afternoon.
At approximately 2:57 p.m., Deschutes County 9-1-1 received a report of the incident, prompting an immediate response from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Fire & Rescue, and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (SAR). The Bend Police Department provided drone support, and AirLink assisted with the aerial search.
Three individuals were rescued from the river and transported to St. Charles-Bend by ambulance. One person was confirmed deceased at the scene. Two others remain missing.
DCSO Search & Rescue and Bend Fire & Rescue crews continued recovery efforts into the evening and will work until sunset. If unsuccessful, operations will pause overnight and resume in the morning.
The names of the victims and survivors are not being released at this time to allow for proper family notification.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanks all partner agencies for their swift and coordinated response. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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