On Thursday, April 23rd, the Curry County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a boat going in circles in the Rogue River just offshore from Huntly Park gravel bar about six miles east of Gold Beach and the caller stated that they could not see anybody in the boat. A second 911 call was received reporting that there was a man in the river but locals in the area could not find him.
Several Sheriff’s Deputies responded as well as Cal Or Life Flight Ambulance and the Gold Beach Fire Department. The Sheriff and a Marine Deputy responded by boat and made contact with a witness at the location. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue deployed drones in the area to get an overview of the location while other Curry County Search and Rescue members scoured the area by boats and using sonar to try and locate the missing person underwater.
Deputies were told that the operator of the boat was fifty-three-year-old Harold Helton of Gold Beach. Helton had launched his boat off the gravel bar at Huntly Park and was supposed to pick his fishing partner up around the corner. When Helton never showed up, the fishing partner noticed Helton’s boat going in circles down below. Helton’s fishing partner was able to get into another boat and got to the boat, shut the motor off, and could not find Helton.
As darkness fell, searchers had not located Helton and made plans to return at first light to resume the search with divers.
Friday, April 24th, Deputies, Curry County Search and Rescue members and divers started searching the area. Just before 9:00 am, the body of Harold Helton was located by divers and brought back to the surface.
Our condolences go out to the family
