Yamhill County Searchers looking for missing swimmer
SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR SWIMMER IN WILLAMETTE RIVER NEAR WHEATLAND FERRY ***UPDATE
News Release from Yamhill Co. Sheriff’s Office
***Update***
The search for Leocadio Sendejas-Sanchez, the missing swimmer in the Willamette River is being suspended due to darkness. Search crews from the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and Clackamas County Dive/Rescue searched for several hours, covering approximately one-quarter mile downriver from Sendejas-Sanchez’s last known location.
The search was conducted with the use of divers and four watercraft.
Efforts will continue tomorrow morning and additional information will be made available as it develops.
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Today, at about 4:15 p.m. Yamhill Communications Agency, the dispatch agency for the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, received a 911 call advising a swimmer had gone under water in the Willamette River, approximately 200 yards north of the Wheatland Ferry.
The swimmer was identified by a family member as Leocadio Sendejas-Sanchez, 68 years of age. Sendejas-Sanchez, who is a resident of California, was visiting relatives in Oregon. Those relatives were present on the shore at the time of the incident.
Currently, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, and Clackamas County Dive/Rescue have craft on the water searching for Sendejas-Sanchez.
The initial investigation has determined that Sendejas-Sanchez was attempting to swim across the Willamette from the Yamhill County side to the Marion County side when he was observed going under water. Sendejas-Sanchez was described as a good swimmer; however he was not wearing a life jacket at the time of his disappearance.
Water visibility in the Willamette is very good at this time, and the water is low. The search is continuing and additional information will be provided when available.
