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On 08/23/19 at approximately 8:00am, MCSO River Patrol deputies responded to a report of a body in the Columbia River near the Interstate (I-5) Bridge. Deputies recovered the body of STEPHEN COWARD, age 56, of Hillsboro. Coward was last seen swimming near Sand Island in the Columbia River on 08/19/19 around 6:30pm. Friends called 911 after observing Coward disappear under the water after struggling to make it back to shore. No additional information will be released regarding this recovery.
On Monday, 8/19/2019, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Multnomah County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an adult male swimmer that had gone missing at Sand Island next to Rooster Rock on the Columbia River. Emergency responders from the Oregon Parks and Recreation, Corbett Fire, Gresham Fire, Port of Portland, Trauma Intervention Program(T.I.P.), and MCSO River Patrol responded to the scene. Despite efforts from multiple agencies, the lost swimmer is still missing.
Due to the setting of the sun and loss of light, the search was suspended until morning.
August is Outdoor Safety Month and MCSO wants you to be as safe as you can while boating or swimming. Please make a plan and wear a personal flotation device when you are in or around the water.