October 11, 2009 in City

Boater dies after run through breached dam

Associated Press
 

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – The operator of a jet boat died when his craft crashed after making a run through the remains of the Savage Rapids Dam.

The dam was breached Friday to allow salmon and steelhead to negotiate the Rogue River. It has blocked the river since 1921.

Tim Delisle of the fire and rescue squad told the Grants Pass Daily Courier that many boaters such as 39-year-old Jeff Bradley went through the gap Friday.

Bradley was dragged to shore 300 yards downstream of the dam.

Three passengers, including Bradley’s 12-year-old son, suffered minor injuries.

The paper said the elder Bradley had competed in high-speed jet boat races on the Rogue in recent years. It said the boat has a roll bar and is capable of speeds over 100 mph.

© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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