An Oregon scuba driver is still missing after he went into the Umpqua River near the mouth emptying into the Pacific Ocean over the weekend.
Jeffrey Harris, 47, went for a dive at around 12:30 p.m. local time Sunday. An unnamed friend of his called to report him missing at around 3 p.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) said in a Facebook post.
Deputies and the U.S. Coast Guard began a land-and-sea search for Mr. Harris, resuming Monday before adverse conditions led the dive team to exit the water. Mr. Harris, of Eugene, has prior experience as a scuba diver.
DCSO deputies were due to return to the area Tuesday to resume a search by land. The sheriff’s office is also exploring using new equipment to resume the search underwater.
“We have been in communication with Jeffrey‘s family and have kept them updated as to the efforts that are being made,” Lt. Brad O’Dell said in the Facebook post. “We are also coordinating with outside agencies to determine if specialized underwater searching equipment can be utilized in the conditions.”
The sheriff’s office has not provided any new information on the search as of Tuesday afternoon.