Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

DHS USCG BANNER

 

Press Release

Date: Aug. 2, 2005
Contact: Ens. Nick Barrow
503-849-2482

MISSING GIRL FOUND ALIVE DURING COAST GUARD SEARCH

PORTLAND, Ore. – A teenager who went missing after wading into the Columbia River near Government Island near Portland Monday night was found alive this morning after an extensive search.

The 16-year-old girl contacted a private boater from the Oregon side of Government Island after spending the night there. 

The Coast Guard received a report Monday at 9:45 p.m., from Clark County 911 of a teenage girl who waded into the Columbia River, east of the I-205 bridge. 

An HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria, Ore., and a 25-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Portland responded. A marine patrol boat from Clark County Sheriff’s office also assisted in the search.

The helicopter and boat crew conducted searches of the Columbia River from Government Island extending about three miles west beyond the I-205 bridge. Shoreline searches of Government, Lemon, and Tri Club Islands revealed no sign of the girl. Search efforts ended at 1:30 a.m., today.  The search resumed at first light with a Coast Guard helicopter.

After hearing a Coast Guard urgent marine broadcast regarding the missing girl, a private boater contacted Coast Guard Sector Portland at 9:40 a.m., today after he was approached by the girl on Government Island. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s office located the girl and is conducting an investigation. 

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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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