Linn County Sheriff's Office

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News Release

Linn County Sheriff's Office Investigates Drowning (Photo) - 06/29/26

Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith reports that on June 26, 2026, at 8:47 PM, Linn County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a male had jumped into the water at Tamolitch Falls, located off Highway 126, and was not able to get out. The area is commonly known as Blue Pool.

 

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Kenny Truong, 21, of Kansas, during what is an unimaginable time. Kenny was visiting the area with friends when he decided to jump into the pool. Witnesses describe him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging. Despite the best efforts of those at Tamolitch Falls who tried to help him, and the first responders who arrived in response to the 911 call, Kenny did not survive.

 

Linn County Sheriff's Office, Lane County Sheriff's Office, and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire responded together Friday evening, as these agencies have done many times before at this location. We are grateful for every responder who answered that call.

 

Tamolitch Falls is a breathtaking destination visited by people from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. It is also a place that has taken lives before and will take lives again if visitors do not understand what they are facing. The cliffs surrounding the pool rise between 10 and 60 feet. The water averages 37 degrees Fahrenheit — cold enough to cause immediate physical shock upon entry. There is minimal to no cell phone reception in the area. When something goes wrong at Blue Pool (or on the trail leading into the falls), it can take up to several hours from the moment of injury to reach a hospital. Linn County Sheriff's Office and our partner agencies respond to emergencies at this location every year.

 

We ask everyone planning to visit Tamolitch Falls to go with that knowledge. Understand the risks before you enter the water. Look out for the people you came with. If you have questions about current conditions, contact the McKenzie River Ranger Station at (541) 822-3381 or visit their website. And if someone is in distress, call 911 immediately — every minute matters at a location this remote.

 

McKenzie River Ranger Station Tamolitch Falls:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/recreation/tamolitch-falls-blue-pool-3507

Attached Media Files: Blue_Pool_Drowning.png,

Linn County Sheriff's Office Investigates Drowning (Photo) - 06/29/26

Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith reports that on June 26, 2026, at 8:47 PM, Linn County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a male had jumped into the water at Tamolitch Falls, located off Highway 126, and was not able to get out. The area is commonly known as Blue Pool.

 

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Kenny Truong, 21, of Kansas, during what is an unimaginable time. Kenny was visiting the area with friends when he decided to jump into the pool. Witnesses describe him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging. Despite the best efforts of those at Tamolitch Falls who tried to help him, and the first responders who arrived in response to the 911 call, Kenny did not survive.

 

Linn County Sheriff's Office, Lane County Sheriff's Office, and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire responded together Friday evening, as these agencies have done many times before at this location. We are grateful for every responder who answered that call.

 

Tamolitch Falls is a breathtaking destination visited by people from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. It is also a place that has taken lives before and will take lives again if visitors do not understand what they are facing. The cliffs surrounding the pool rise between 10 and 60 feet. The water averages 37 degrees Fahrenheit — cold enough to cause immediate physical shock upon entry. There is minimal to no cell phone reception in the area. When something goes wrong at Blue Pool (or on the trail leading into the falls), it can take up to several hours from the moment of injury to reach a hospital. Linn County Sheriff's Office and our partner agencies respond to emergencies at this location every year.

 

We ask everyone planning to visit Tamolitch Falls to go with that knowledge. Understand the risks before you enter the water. Look out for the people you came with. If you have questions about current conditions, contact the McKenzie River Ranger Station at (541) 822-3381 or visit their website. And if someone is in distress, call 911 immediately — every minute matters at a location this remote.

 

McKenzie River Ranger Station Tamolitch Falls:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/recreation/tamolitch-falls-blue-pool-3507

Attached Media Files: Blue_Pool_Drowning.png,