A Kansas man died Friday evening after jumping into the water at Blue Pool, the Linn County Sheriff’s Officer reported.
Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith said that at 8:47 pm. Friday, Linn County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a male had jumped into the water at Tamolitch Falls, commonly known as Blue Pool, and was not able to get out.
Kenny Truong, 21, of Kansas, had been visiting the area with friends when he decided to jump into the pool, according to LCSO. Witnesses described him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging. Despite the best efforts of those at Tamolitch Falls who tried to help him, and the first responders who arrived in response to the 911 call, he did not survive. Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire responded to the incident.
LCSO reminds the public that although Tamolitch Falls is a breathtaking destination visited by people from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond, it is also t has taken lives before and will take lives again if visitors do not understand what they are facing. The cliffs surrounding the pool rise between 10 and 60 feet. The water averages 37 degrees Fahrenheit — cold enough to cause immediate physical shock upon entry. There is minimal to no cell phone reception in the area. When something goes wrong at Blue Pool (or on the trail leading into the falls), it can take up to several hours from the moment of injury to reach a hospital.
People planning to visit Tamolitch Falls to go with that knowledge. Understand the risks before you enter the water. Look out for the people you came with. If you have questions about current conditions, contact the McKenzie River Ranger Station at (541) 822-3381 or visit their website. And if someone is in distress, call 911 immediately — every minute matters at a location this remote.