Body of rafter who drowned days earlier found in South Umpqua River

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March 5, 2026

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Body of rafter who drowned days earlier found in South Umpqua River

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Search-and-rescue divers recovered the body of a man Monday who drowned  in the South Umpqua River  near Roseburg days earlier.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Johnathon Michael Laine, a resident of Roseburg.

Authorities said Laine was attempting to raft across the fast-moving South Umpqua River around 7:30 a.m. Friday when he became stranded in the middle of the river. Deputies, firefighters and state police responded to the scene and tried to rescue him.

Before rescuers could reach him, Laine was swept downstream by the strong current and drowned.

Emergency crews searched for hours Friday after he disappeared beneath the water but were unable to locate him at the time.

Divers from the sheriff’s office resumed the search Monday and found Laine’s body around 12:45 p.m., approximately 75 feet from where he was last seen in the river.

Officials said the incident is being investigated as a boating accident.

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