Man jailed after wild ride down S. Umpqua River

By KPIC News Published: Dec 3, 2012 at 8:59 AM PDT Last Updated: Dec 4, 2012 at 10:58 AM PDT

A Roseburg man is behind bars Monday morning, after Sheriff's deputies say he led police and fire crews on a dangerous trip down the South Umpqua River on a loose dock.

According to the Sheriff's office, just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, reports started coming in about a man floating down the fast moving river.

When emergency crews arrived, they say they found Larry Allen Strain, 59, floating downstream on a dock that had his boats tied to it.

>>>See YouNews video of the incident

Deputies say the dock had come loose at the end of Neill Ave.

Crews from Douglas County Fire District #2 attempted to get the man into a water rescue boat, but they say Strain refused.

According to officials, Strain told them he wanted them to get a bigger boat and push his dock to shore. Authorities say Strain was warned that he would be arrested if he did not get in the rescue boat.

Rescue crews also tried to give Strain a life jacket, which they say he also refused.

Deputies say crews were able to throw a life jacket to Strain as he passed under the Melrose bridge.

Sheriff's deputies launched another rescue boat at River Forks and headed upstream, "despite the extreme risk due to the water level, swiftness and the large amount of logs and debris in the river."

Strain eventually gave up and got into the boat with authorities somewhere between the Melrose bridge and Singleton Park.

Strain was taken into custody at River forks Park and lodged in the Douglas County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct and six counts of reckless endangering. His bail was set at $40,000.

Officials say the dock and boats continued on down the river.

YouNews reporter jwiks uploaded this video of the dock floating down the river: 

YouNews reporter 'Oryguncowgirl' also took videos of the incident as it unfolded:

 The first video shows the debris floating down the fast moving river