Brookings Man Drowns in Chetco River Near Social Security Bar

The Brookings and Harbor Fire Departments and a Cal Ore Life Flight Ambulance crew were dispatched just before 4:30pm late Tuesday afternoon July 13th, to reports of a possible drowning near Social Security Bar on the Chetco River.    

As the Curry County Sheriff’s Office immediately dispatched several Sheriff’s Deputies and Oregon State Troopers to the location, information was simultaneously being relayed to responders that a male subject who had been swimming had disappeared under water and had been under for about five minutes prior to the 911 call.

Once on scene, First Responders and Law Enforcement determined a male subject was submerged in about twelve feet of water in the middle of the river.   

A Curry County Sheriff’s Patrol Sergeant equipped with dive gear, entered the water, and brought the male subject back to the shore. The male subject was identified as forty-seven-year-old Carl Martin of Brookings, Oregon.

We are all saddened at the tragic death of Carl and we want to express our sincere condolences to his family.