The powerful Deschutes River is believed to have pulled a group of people on inner tubes over a waterfall, killing at least two people.
BEND, Ore. — A Texas woman died in an accident in Oregon over the weekend, according to a CBS News report.
Amanda Lloyd, of Rockwall, was one of two people who died when a group of six people were swept over a dangerous waterfall on the Deschutes River about 10 miles away from Bend, Oregon. Lloyd was 40.
Authorities said it happened Saturday afternoon. They said the group was floating on inner tubes that were tied together when they were pulled into the rapids at Dillon Falls, which is a notoriously treacherous spot lined with rocks, logs and a 15-foot drop.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jason Carr said they group missed the last exit point.
“As you’re standing there, at sort of that exit point, you can see the river bend to the right, and you can start to see how the water gets swift, more swift. And once you get to that point, it’s almost impossible to get out of the river,” Carr said.
Lindsay Bashan, of Parkland, Florida, also died in the accident. She was 33. A third person remained missing on Wednesday as search crews continued to scour the area by air and with dogs on the ground.
The three people who survived were able to jump off their tubes and swim to safety.
Authorities said warning signs are posted near the falls, but the current might have been too strong for the group to escape.
The last victim they’re searching for is a man. The group was reportedly floating the river alone, not part of a whitewater rafting tour.