Oregon man vacationing with family drowns in Rogue River

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A 41-year-old man from Medford is dead after he drowned in the Rogue River 9 miles east of Gold Beach on July 14 in the area of Lobster Creek.

The Curry County Sheriff’s Office dispatched river patrol deputies, a Cal Ore Life Flight and the Gold Beach Fire Department to the scene at 1:33 p.m. after witnesses reported that the man, later identified as Adam Birdsell, had been underwater for approximately four to six minutes. Bystanders flagged down a Linn County Sheriff’s Office boat that happened to be traveling through the area for training two minutes later and the deputies began to search for Birdsell.

“The two marine deputies quickly located Birdsell submerged in about six feet of water,” the Curry County Sheriff’s Office stated on social media. “One of the deputies dove in and pulled Birdsell out of the water and onto their boat. Several other marine deputies and boats arrived to assist.”

Deputies immediately gave Birdsell CPR, and he was taken to the nearest boat ramp where a Cal Ore Life Flight crew was standing by. Birdsell was flown to Curry General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical staff.

“Birdsell was on vacation with his family and friends, who witnessed the drowning,” The Curry County Sheriff’s Office said. “… The Curry County Sheriff’s Office sends our condolences to the family and friends of Adam Birdsell.”

Birdsell is the second person to drown in the Lobster Creek area in the past 10 days. Several drownings also occurred in the greater Portland area within the past two weeks.

American Medical Response offers the following safety tips for swimming in natural waterways:

• Avoid risky waters, such as rapids, waterfalls and rocks.
• Never swim alone
• Learn to swim
• Children, and adults who are non-swimmers, should wear a life jacket in and around water.
• Be aware of cold shock. When your body hits cold water, it can cause dramatic changes in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The sudden gasp and rapid breathing creates a greater risk of drowning.
• Assign a responsible adult to supervise children around water at all times!
• Don’t drink or use drugs in or around the water
• Learn CPR

In an emergency

• Do not go in after someone unless you are trained in water rescue.
• Call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Throw a life ring, buoy, or other floating object to the victim while you are waiting for first responders.
• Coach the victim, guiding them to calm, to float, to move toward shallow water.

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