UNION CREEK, Ore. — A 4-year-old Grants Pass boy has died after his family’s raft capsized on a rocky stretch of the Rogue River.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that Brayden Biggs died when the raft carrying him and five others capsized when it entered the Takelma Gorge, a stretch with swift rapids. Kayakers found the boy unresponsive about 200 yards downstream.
A hiker heard the cries for help, ran 2 1/2 miles to his car and drove to the nearest ranger station to call 911.
The boy and 11 members of his extended family set off in three rafts from the Woodruff Bridge campground at about 3 p.m. Saturday. All of them had been wearing lifejackets.
Several law enforcement and fire crews responded to the scene. They were able to help the other rafters hike out.
The Jackson County medical examiner’s office responded and will determine the exact cause of the boy’s death.
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