PORTLAND, Ore. — Editor's note: Naomi Pomeroy's body has been recovered.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) continued its search on Tuesday for the body of Naomi Pomeroy, the award-winning Portland chef who died in a tubing accident over the weekend.
According to BCSO, Pomeroy drowned, without wearing a life jacket, in the Willamette River about 100 yards upstream from Mary's River. An investigation found Pomeroy, her husband and one other person were floating on tubes and a paddle board — which were tied together.
BCSO said they got caught on an exposed snag in the water and Pomeroy was held under water by the paddle board leash.
"We've kind of grown up here our whole lives so we've gone in it a lot," said Shaina Cornwell, a Corvallis local. "But, it's definitely like you said, a reminder and awareness when you’ve been on the river so many times — it doesn't feel like something that could happen."
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Cornwell said she was also floating on the Willamette River over the weekend and saw her fair share of debris there.
"There was basically a constant stream of people floating, and quite a few of them had their float tied together," said Cornwell. "Like, my friends and I just tied up our floaties last night. There were logs in the water that we couldn’t really see. And we were kind of laughing and making light of it but that just makes it a reality. Like, this is actually dangerous."
Pomeroy is one of at least four people who have drowned in local rivers in July.
If you plan to float the river this summer, BCSO said you should not tie yourself to a paddle board unless you have a quick-release leash. And if you have two or more inner tubes together, Oregon law requires everyone — regardless of age — to wear a life jacket. Kids ages 12 and younger, are always required to wear a life jacket.
The BCSO is asking people floating the river to keep an eye out for Pomeroy's body. If you locate it, you're asked to call 911 and not to try any recovery efforts yourself.
"I am dedicated to locating Naomi to bring her home to her family and loved ones," said Sheriff Van Arsdall. "I want to thank all involved in the search and recovery mission, and support during this difficult time."