One man died Thursday after being struck by a boat pulling him on an innertube in the Willamette River near Newberg on July 11, sheriff’s officials and firefighters said.
The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office did not release the name of the victim in the incident but said in a statement Thursday that he’s 20 years old and from the Brooks area.
Fire crews responded to Rogers Landing in Newberg where a 1994 Four Winns 17′ fiberglass boat ran over two people who were floating in the river on innertubes, according to deputies and the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
One man was taken by helicopter to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, the agency said. Firefighters reported that the boat was pulling the innertube when they crossed paths, running over both people.
The other boy is still receiving medical treatment for his injuries, sheriff’s officials said.
Both individuals struck wore personal floatation devices, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies are investigating the accident. They said the operator of the boat is a 17-year-old from the Brooks area, and their parent was on board during the accident.
-Zaeem Shaikh; mshaikh@oregonian.com; 503-221-8111; @zaeemshake
