PORTLAND - A 16-year-old boy was rescued but the search for his dad continued after the pair was swept into the current while trying to forge an especially dangerous stretch of the Sandy River on foot over the weekend.
Witnesses said 55-year-old Yev Hen Savchenko and his 16-year-old son were swept into the strong current in an especially dangerous section of the Sandy River Gorge. The stretch of river is very popular for fisherman, despite its danger, and the pair was trying to wade into a steelhead hole.
Rescuers found the the teen, identified as Olexander Savchenko, about 300 yards downriver, but everyone had lost sight of his father, authorities said.
Experienced fisherman know the area well. It's the same spot where the original Oregon Trail pioneers used to cross. It's also been nicknamed "The Devil's Backbone" because of its long history of deadly accidents.
"People don't realize how dangerous it can be when the water level comes up," said steelhead fisherman Ron Spurgeon. "The water changes, it can rise just like that. It doesn't take but a few minutes and the water goes from being nice and calm to another three feet up."
Swift Water Rescue crews searched the water until 4:30 p.m., Saturday and then resumed the search early Sunday morning. A Coast Guard helicopter also scanned the river from above, to no avail.
Recovery crews planned to return to the search area on Monday morning.
