Two Dead After Drowning During Disturbance at Oregon's Topsy Reservoir

Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the disturbance leading to the stabbing as well as the drowning deaths.

Salem-News.com

(TOPSY RESERVOIR, Ore.) - Klamath County Deputies and The Sheriff's Dive Rescue team responded to the Topsy Reservoir near Keno, just after 7:00 PM this evening, on a report of two males who appeared to be in trouble in the water.

Details are still sketchy tonight, however investigators say they believe that problems leading to violence began as approximately 6 young men were above the river on a ledge, that is approximately 20 feet high, commonly used for diving into the reservoir.

During a scuffle that broke out between the individuals, one person received at least two non-life threatening stab wounds to his upper torso. The injured subject was transported by private vehicle to the Keno Fire Station for help and then on to Sky Lakes Medical Center.

Investigators say that after the stabbing, one of the other subjects involved pushed another off the ledge and into the water. The young man in the water was heard calling for help and saying that he could not swim well.

The individual believed to have pushed him in, then jumped in the water in an attempt to rescue the first subject. Both then slipped below the surface. Quick acting fishermen in a nearby boat pulled one of the subjects out of the water. Rescue breathing attempts were unsuccessful.

Shortly after 9:00 PM this evening, sheriff divers recovered the body of the young man who was still missing.

Investigators have at least 20 witnesses to interview and the investigation is continuing. No names are being released this evening as notification of next of kin is still pending. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the disturbance leading to the stabbing as well as the drowning deaths.