Oregon Officials Continue Search for Missing Teen on Sandy River

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Effort Continues Along The Sandy River

Oregon's Sandy River Photo" Wikimedia

(SANDY, Ore.) - A teen missing in the Sandy River has officials there moving quickly. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and Search & Rescue Coordinators resumed the search for the missing teen, Patrick Monteith of Sandy; who was last witnessed by three companions being swept down the Sandy River, east of Marmot, early Saturday afternoon.

Jim Strovink with the Clackamas Sheriff says NORSAR, a volunteer canine search group, combed the waters edge as darkness fell late Saturday night.

"Earlier in the day an Oregon National Guard helicopter searched in vain along this stretch of the silt colored, 54 degree, swift-moving river near E. Sylvan Drive – east of Marmot. Disappointingly, there were no signs of Patrick Monteith."

He says the focus of today's search effort will focus more on the water. Search personnel representing Lake Oswego Fire, Clackamas County Sheriff's marine, Sandy Fire and Gresham Fire will be kayaking and rafting on the Sandy in search of the missing teen.

"Additional search volunteers will be working the ground along this portion of the Sandy River representing Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue and Mountain Wave Communications," Strovink added.

"The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is reaching out to other law enforcement organizations seeking additional personal floatation devices for the number of ground searchers who are working close to the river banks."

Strovink says it is vitally important to be adequately prepared for any slip that may send a volunteer into the water and in jeopardy.

"When an operation of this magnitude should occur -- adequate equipment concerns can arise with any unique situation. This is a very rugged section of the river wrapped with steep rocky cliffs and a vast amount of harassing blackberry bushes. Negotiating along the rivers edge is grueling and treacherous, even in more comfortable and cooler temperatures."

Strovink says the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office recognizes the commendable role of the chaplain's corps that responds to these emotionally charged and solemn events.

"These dedicated and compassionate members of our community really deliver a stabilizing balance of comfort during these unimaginable times of grief. These devoted men and women are the ones that come to the aid of the victim families and help those in need wrestle with that invisible wound of sorrow."

He says additional updates will be reported promptly as received from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Command Post, in Sandy.

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