Swimming Fatality Claims North Bend Teen, June 19

The decedent in this incident was identified as Steven Roy Reynolds, 18, of North Bend, Ore.  Reynolds would have turned 19 years old next week. Dr. James Olson of the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the death to be an accident caused by freshwater drowning.  Reynolds’ family has been notified of his death. A chaplain from Southern Oregon Public Safety Chaplains provided assistance for persons involved in the response.  JCSO wishes to thank everyone who helped at the scene and in the following hours. Original release, 6/17/19: ASHLAND, Ore. – A man died Monday afternoon at a remote swimming area north of Howard Prairie Lake. On June 17, 2019, at 4:10 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a juvenile had been found unresponsive in the water at the Keno Rock Quarry, located on Keno Access Road just south of Dead Indian Memorial Road. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and personnel from Greensprings Fire and Mercy Flights responded to the scene. Deputies determined the victim was an 18-year-old male. According to witnesses, the man had been swimming when he went underwater and did not surface. Bystanders pulled him from the water and began CPR. Medical personnel arrived and continued resuscitation efforts, but the man died at the scene. The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the cause and manner of death.  The man’s identity will be released at a later time to allow time for family to be notified. No further information is currently available for release.