UPDATE:
The body of a man who was swept away in the South Umpqua River last Friday has been recovered.
A diver from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Dive Team found the body Monday afternoon about 75 feet downstream from the point where he was last seen.
The victim’s body was recovered and transferred to the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The man has been identified as 46-year-old Johnathon Michael Laine of Roseburg.
Original story:
A man is believed to have drowned in the South Umpqua River Friday morning in Roseburg.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says they responded to a report of a man stranded in the middle of the river yelling for help.
Because of the swift current, the river was only accessible by boat. While rescue boats approached, the victim lost his grip and was swept downstream.
Rescuers tried unsuccessfully to recover the victim for several more hours.
Officials say they’ll continue to search in the days ahead. The victim’s identity is not yet known.