OREGON CITY, Ore. — A search operation is in progress after a kayaker was reported missing Saturday night following an incident on the Willamette River near Willamette Falls.

According to multiple 911 callers, the male kayaker, who was alone in a blue hard-shell kayak, was seen in distress just upstream of the falls at approximately 10:52 p.m. Witnesses reported that the man went over the falls and failed to resurface, prompting emergency crews to launch a swift response.

First responders from the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium, a coalition of local fire and law enforcement agencies, immediately began a coordinated search operation. The agencies involved in the rescue efforts include Clackamas Fire, Lake Oswego Fire Department, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit. Officers from Canby, Oregon City, and West Linn police departments also provided assistance in the search.

Aerial support was provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, which deployed a helicopter, as well as a fixed-wing aircraft from the Portland Police Bureau. Despite extensive search efforts throughout the night, the missing kayaker has not yet been located.

The search resumed Sunday morning, with authorities continuing to comb both the water and surrounding areas for any signs of the missing man. At this time, the identity of the kayaker has not been released as investigators work to confirm further details.

The Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium, which focuses on swift-water rescue operations, has emphasized the difficulty of such rescues in the area. The waters near Willamette Falls are notoriously treacherous, with strong currents and dangerous rapids that present significant challenges for rescue teams.

Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the missing kayaker to come forward as the search continues.