Central Point man dies while rafting the North Umpqua - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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Central Point man dies while rafting the North Umpqua Monday Feb 13, 2017 at 11:50 AM A Central Point man died Sunday afternoon after the raft he was in overturned on the North Umpqua River east of Idleyld Park. Scott James Jarrell, 38, was pulled from the river after the raft he and Paul Eckel of Roseburg were in overturned at about 2:43 p.m. while they traveled through a rapid along Highway 138 near milepost 32, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Eckel was able to get back in the raft, which was described only at 9 1/2 feet long, but Jarrell was not, deputies said. The pair went through another set of rapids, during which Jarrell disappeared, deputies said. Witnesses along the roadway telephoned sheriff's deputies and followed Jarrell as he floated downstream until Eckel caught up to him and pulled him out of the water, deputies said. Lifesaving efforts were initiated until emergency crews arrived and took over, but Jarrell was declared dead at the scene, deputies said. Both men were wearing helmets and life jackets, according to Sgt. Brad O'Dell. No further details were immediately available.