NEWBERG, Ore. — A boat ran over two people as they were tubing on the Willamette River in Newberg Monday afternoon, the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office said.
A boat operator near Rogers Landing had been towing two young men on an inner tube when the boat struck them both.
"[The operator] ended up turning one direction and correcting back the other direction which swung the inner tube around which caused them unfortunately to run over the two folks that were on the inner tube," said Kim Haughn with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
One of the men had serious, life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital by a LifeFlight helicopter. The other male was transported to Legacy Emanuel hospital in Portland with less severe injuries.
The sheriff's office told KGW the boat operator showed no signs of impairment.
"It was my understanding that he has operated a boat before but doesn't have a lot of experience towing the tuber," said Yamhill County Deputy Sgt. Sam Elliott.
Investigators said the boat was carrying four people including the victims. They said they were from Brooks, in Marion County.
"They were all known to each other so this is absolutely devastating to everyone involved," said Haughn. "Our hearts go out to them and everyone who witnessed it, too."