Ironically we were having a gathering to support the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance on the back lawn at Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe. I saw the struggling person and called to the rest of the group, a posse ran to his rescue, pulled him up and he flushed through. A few bumps and bruises and he is okay.
This is my fifth summer in Bend and I have heard of a few deaths and have seen numerous close calls with the infamous spillway. I think the spillway must be removed and I know many others feel the same. On any given summer day the Deschutes River from Farewell Bend Park to the spillway is the most crowded recreation area in Central Oregon.
How many more people have to die before this liability is removed?
Paul Rodham