Huntly Park river rescue

On 05/22/24 at or about 3:28 p.m. Curry County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that several juveniles were in the water possibly drowning in the Rogue River near Huntly Park, about six miles east of God Beach.

Central Dispatch then began to dispatch Curry County Sheriff’s Deputies, Gold Beach Police Officers, Gold Beach Fire, medical personal from Cal-Or ambulance, as well as medical helicopters from Reach.

Within minutes from getting the call, Sheriff Deputies, and Gold Beach Police Officers arrived in the area of Huntly Park gravel bar along the Rouge River.

At this time there were a total of 7 individuals, (Two teachers, 5 juveniles) clinging to the rocks on the opposite side of the river from Huntly Park, or still swimming in the river. The subjects were yelling that they could not hang on to the rocks any longer.

Deputy Bryce Starbird, Officer Sarah Aryanfard, and Officer Robert Helme made the decision to attempt to swim across the river to attempt to assist the subjects.

Two of the struggling subjects got caught in the river current and were swept down river, along with one Sheriff’s Deputy, and one GBPD Officer.

At about 3:45 p.m. Sgt Jared Gray and Lieutenant David Denney arrived in the Sheriff’s patrol boat. Upon arrival in the area out in front of Tu Tu Tun Lodge, (Approx ¾ mile downstream from Huntly Park) three subjects were seen by Sgt Gray and Lieutenant Denney in the water. Two females were observed together trying to swim on their backs, and approximately 200 yards above them was a male subject struggling to stay above water. It was clear that all three were in distress, but the male subject was observed going underwater several times. A decision was made to pass up the first two subjects and assist the unidentified male subject at that time, as it did not appear as if he would be able to stay above water any longer.

As they reached the male subject, they recognized him as a GBPD Officer, and he was pulled from under the water by Lieutenant Denney and pulled onto the swim platform of the boat. With Lieutenant Denney hanging onto the GBPD Officer, Sgt Gray then maneuvered the boat back down river and was able to secure the other two females, (one teacher-one juvenile). Sgt Gray then maneuvered the boat to the shore with the two females clinging to the side of the boat. Once on shore the two were pulled out onto the riverbank in front of Tu Tu Tun Lodge, and another responding Deputy took over care of these two subjects. The GBPD officer was then pulled all the way into the boat.

As this was happening a private guided fishing boat, operated by Sam Waller arrived in the area. Waller observed Sgt Gray and Lieutenant Denney previously go by him in the Sheriff’s patrol boat and responded on his own to assist.

Waller was then able to retrieve the other GBPD Officer, and Sheriff Deputy from the water. He then pulled three others that were clinging to the rocks into his boat. Sgt Gray and Lieutenant Denney then pulled the last subject from the rocks, and all subjects were then transported by boat to the gravel bar at Huntly Park where medical and fire personnel were waiting.

At this time deputies then obtained a head count and confirmed that all juveniles, teachers, and responding officers were accounted for.

One female juvenile was then transported by REACH helicopter to Three Rivers Hospital in Grants Pass. One GBPD officer, the other four juveniles, and two teachers were then transported to Curry General Hospital for treatment. All subjects were treated for different stages of hypothermia. One GBPD officer is still in the hospital being treated for complications related to the incident, all others were treated and eventually released.

The Juveniles and teachers were on a 7th -8th grade trip from Surprise Valley School in California. They were told that Huntly Park was a good place to swim, and that’s why they were in that area.

The Rogue River is still flowing very high and is still very cold. The temperature of the water varies from the 50 to low 60-degree temperatures. People do not realize that at these temperatures it only takes a very short time for hypothermia to set in.

This was a very coordinated and amazing effort by numerous different agencies, all working together. Because of this coordinated effort the 10 subjects that were in the water during the incident are predicted to make a full recovery.

Special thanks to Curry County Sheriff`s Office, GBPD, Cal Or Ambulance, Reach Helicopter, Gold Beach Fire, Port Orford Police, and Sam Waller.