Man drowns in Tualatin River at Jurgens Park

On Monday, July 15, Washington County Sheriff’s Office identified Jeremiah Joshua Baldwin of Tualatin as the drowning victim who went underwater while swimming with his child in the Tualatin River at Jurgens Park on Sunday, July 14. The 42-year-old was trying to stay above water while helping his child stay afloat, authorities said.)

A man recreating with his family in the Tualatin River drowned Sunday evening, July 14, at Tualatin’s Jurgens Park.

According to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue officials, a 911 call received at 5:42 p.m. reported that a man had gone underwater and had not resurfaced in the waterway.

Authorities later identified the man as 42-year-old Jeremiah Joshua Baldwin of Tualatin.

“Multiple agencies, including Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Lake Oswego Fire, Tualatin Police, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, and American Medical Response were dispatched to coordinate rescue efforts,” said a statement from TVF&R. “First responders used dive teams, drone support, and personnel on watercraft to search the water. It was reported that other recreators on the water were also searching for the missing man.”

Others who were on the water at the time also joined in the search.

With the help of search tools, including underwater cameras, the man’s body was discovered at 6:17 p.m. not far from where he initially disappeared, but efforts to revive him failed.

He was not wearing a life jacket. Authorities added that Baldwin “was struggling to stay above water while helping his child stay afloat.”

A fire district chaplain responded to the scene to provide support.