Very early Saturday, July 12th, Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies, Grants Pass Fire Department, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response, were dispatched to the Robertson Bridge Road and Lower River Road area of the Rogue River regarding reports of a possible drowning.
Upon arrival, authorities learned that several hundred people were participating in a nighttime event advertised on social media as a “River Glow Float”.
During this event, several people between the ages of 5 and 47 years old became trapped on a large log in the river with some losing their flotation devices. Several did not have their required safety equipment (life jackets) with them and numerous people were separated from their groups and reported missing.
The Sheriff’s Office Marine Deputy responded and worked with other responders to safely rescue 5 individuals and assisted 7 others with getting to safety. Several miles of the river were checked and no other individuals in need of assistance were located.
Medical personnel examined subjects on scene, no one needed further medical care and no one was transported for treatment and all subjects previously reported missing were located and accounted for.
Several citations have been or will be issued as a result of this night float. So far, 13 people have been cited for Unsafe Boating Operation, 2 for Recklessly Endangering, 1 for Disorderly Conduct and 1 for Hosting an Event Without a Permit.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens and visitors that not only was this event dangerous to those on the river and the rescuers who responded, it put the rest of our community in danger since most of our emergency responders tended to this incident for approximately three hours.
As the follow up investigation continues, several citations have been or will be issued as a result of this night float. So far, 13 people have been cited for Unsafe Boating Operation, 2 for Recklessly Endangering, 1 for Disorderly Conduct and 1 for Hosting an Event Without a Permit.
