Central Coast Death, Nov. 15

News release from the Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office.  “On 11/13/2013 Lincoln County Sheriff”s Deputy Larson along with North Lincoln Fire and Rescue and Pacific West Ambulance, responded to an address in the 900 block of Riverbend Ln in Otis for a man needing assistance who had fallen by the river. 69 year old John Henry Davenport III of Otis, had walked down toward the Salmon River behind his house and had slipped and almost fell into the water. Davenport’s wife came to look for him and found him on the embankment near the water edge and he told her to call for help.  Mrs. Davenport called 911 requesting assistance and walked back to the area where her husband was located, but she could no longer see him. Mrs. Davenport slipped and twisted her ankle in the dark looking for her husband needing medical attention. North Lincoln Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, provided medical care for Mrs. Davenport, and looked for John Davenport until about 1030pm. Due to dark conditions and slippery terrain the search was called off for the night.  On 11/14/2013, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team was called out and started their search along with members of the North Lincoln Fire water rescue team at about 0800am from the last known point John Davenport was seen. At about 1000am, about a 1/4 mile away from the house, John Davenport was found deceased in the Salmon River by Search and Rescue Personnel and was recovered.   The Medical Examiner evaluation is still pending.  Alcohol appears to be a factor in Mr. Davenport’s death.