Medford teenager drowns in South Umpqua River

Medford teenager drowns in South Umpqua River

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By Dan Bain

TILLER - A Medford teenager has drowned in the South Umpqua River near Tiller.

Seventeen-year-old Tyler Lavender of Medford was located Monday night in a deep pool near the top of South Umpqua Falls about 15 miles east of Tiller in southeastern Douglas County.

Sheriff's deputies said Lavender and some friends were playing in the water at the falls at about 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, when he slipped down the rock and into a large pool of water above the top of the falls.

Officers said friends tried to rescue him but were unsuccessful. They said the hydraulics of the water held the teenager under water and he was not able to get to the surface.

The sheriff's dive team was finally able to locate Lavender's body just after 8:00 p.m. Monday night.
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