Mail Tribune News - Boy who died in Rogue River tried to save stranded rafters

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Boy who died in Rogue River tried to save stranded rafters The Associated Press GRANTS PASS -- A witness says the 17-year-old boy who died in the Rogue River over the weekend was trying to help some rafters stranded on a rock. David Irizarry was swept over Rainie Falls on Sunday in the wild section of the river. Initial police reports were unclear about the circumstances. Irizarry had been hiking along the river with family and friends. Neil Southern, a hiker who witnessed the tragedy, said Tuesday he saw Irizarry swimming toward a raft caught in what is known as the middle chute of the falls, but could not overcome the current and went over the main falls. "I think he ran out of gas and was just unable to fight the current," Southern said. Sheriff's deputies said high and cold water would have quickly sapped Irizarry's strength as he swam in the river. The boy suffered head injuries after going over the falls. "David always had a big heart," said his mother, Debbie Irizarry. "He always tried to help somebody and he died trying to save two people." Mail Tribune Copyright �  The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA