UPDATE
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has idenitied the missing individual in Sunday’s boat crash as Michael Hoang Trinh, 45, of Portland, Oregon. Trinh was ejected when the boat he was riding in made a sharp turn in the Columbia River near Broughton Beach Park. Despite exhaustive searches Sunday by air, boat, land and underwater dives, Trinh was not located. At this time, he remains missing. The investigation is open, and no further comment can be made.
AUGUST 2, 2020 NEWS RELEASE
On Sunday, August 2, 2020, at approximately 1:55 p.m., the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a boat crash in the Columbia River off Broughton Beach Park. MCSO River Patrol Unit marine deputies, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Portland Fire Department, Portland Fire & Rescue, Portland Police Bureau, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and AMR, responded to the location.
According to witness statements, the boat was driving along the north end of Broughton Beach Park when the operator made a sharp turn. The action caused the boat to suddenly rock, ejecting the passenger and the operator, both adult males, into the river. A number of witnesses went to help the two men. The operator was rescued by a private boat and taken to shore, but the passenger, who was not wearing a life jacket, submerged and did not resurface.
Emergency responders performed searches in the area where the man was last seen. MCSO’s Dive Team performed a series of dives Sunday afternoon. Despite hours of searching by air, boat and underwater, the man was not located.
The Sheriff’s Office gathered witness statements and contacted the boat operator, who is cooperating. Impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing, and no further comment can be made at this time.