Authorities in Oregon reported the possible discovery of the body of 65-year-old Reid Litwack, an Indiana man who went missing during a rafting trip on the Rogue River. Litwack disappeared on 4 August, prompting a multi-day search operation involving local deputies, search and rescue teams, and the Bureau of Land Management.
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According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the alarm was raised at approximately 1:16 PM local time when a Garmin GPS device sent out a signal indicating a rafting accident at Wildcat Rapid, a well-known section of the river. It was reported that Litwack’s inflatable raft had become pinned in the rapids, causing him to be swept underwater where he did not resurface.
Before his disappearance, Litwack was reportedly seen wearing a red long-sleeved shirt with a hood and green trousers. In the aftermath of the incident, while communications were established between the rafting party and emergency teams, efforts to rescue Litwack were being formulated. The rest of the rafting group managed to make their way to safety by hiking out the following day, but Litwack was still unaccounted for.
The search expanded, and on 7 August, authorities received a GPS message from another rafting party who had reported seeing a body in the river downstream from the scene of the initial incident. However, attempts to locate the body were hampered by the loss of reference markers in the area, and search teams were unable to recover it that day.
On 8 August, a breakthrough occurred when deputies dispatched a satellite message confirming that they had successfully located and retrieved a body believed to be Litwack’s. While officials suspect the identity is indeed Litwack, conclusive confirmation is pending further investigation by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. The family has already been informed about the developments in the case.
The Oregon State Marine Board indicated that although Litwack was thought to have been wearing a life jacket during the rafting trip, it may have come off during the incident. This raises important safety considerations about the use of personal flotation devices in challenging water conditions.
In a statement shared by local news outlet WXIN, Litwack’s family expressed their gratitude to the rescue teams and volunteers who participated in the recovery efforts. They acknowledged the challenges posed by the remote terrain and extended their appreciation for the patience shown by those waiting for updates. “We will share information as we are able,” they noted.
In light of this tragic incident, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office has issued advice for others who enjoy recreational rafting. They emphasised the importance of being prepared for medical emergencies and encouraged outdoor enthusiasts to have reliable communication methods while in rural areas. Additionally, they stressed the need to inform someone about planned routes and anticipated return times prior to embarking on such excursions.
As the community processes this difficult news, authorities and family members alike continue to urge caution for those engaging in similar activities. The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with adventure sports, even for experienced participants.