On July 18th at about 3:20pm, Lane County Deputies and Oakridge Fire personnel responded to a call of drowning near the Black Canyon Campground on the Willamette River. The caller reported his son had been pulled out of the water and he was not breathing. People on scene were actively performing CPR and this continued until firefighters arrived.  

Despite all rescue efforts the man did not survive. The deceased was identified as 26-year-old Justin Daniel Brudvig of Oregon City. The investigation revealed Brudvig was paddleboarding in the river without a lifejacket.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone to recreate safely in Lane County’s waterways. If you are attaching yourself to watercraft, use only a breakaway tether.  Always wear a properly fitting lifejacket, stay sober, and never get in the water alone.