Kayakers stopped to snap photos on a river island and discovered a body in central Oregon, deputies said.
The kayakers reported it to authorities at about 2:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Lava Island Falls near Bend, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Lava Island Falls is on the Deschutes River, and it’s filled with rushing whitewater rapids that are recommended for expert kayakers.
Deputies said the body was found in an area of the river that is “extremely difficult to access,” estimating it would take about five hours to recover it.
Authorities said the body’s identity isn’t known.
“Please avoid the area and allow first responders the space to complete this complex recovery,” deputies said.
Lava Island Falls is downstream from Dillon Falls, a waterfall with a 15-foot drop that “almost immediately turns into churning rapids in a quick, step ladder-like pattern,” according to Visit Central Oregon.
Six people were swept over Dillon Falls on July 19, McClatchy News reported. Three people were rescued from the water and two people were found dead.
Authorities have been searching for the last person since.
The sheriff’s office did not respond to McClatchy News’ request Aug. 28 to see if the body found at Lava Island Falls may be the missing person from Dillon Falls.
Lava Island Falls is about an 8-mile drive southwest from Bend.
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