Oregon State Police radio traffic regarding a drowning at the Lobster Creek gravel bar area for the second time in less than two weeks, was overheard early Sunday afternoon, July 14th, by the Curry County Sheriff’s Dispatch and patrol deputies, Gold Beach Fire Department and Cal Ore Life Flight were dispatched nine miles east of Gold Beach just after 1:30pm.
Initial information gathered was that a male had been under water for about four to six minutes and had drowned.
Within minutes after the individual, later identified as 41 year old Adam Birdsell, from Medford, on vacation with his family and friends, went under water, a Linn County Sheriff’s Marine Boat on their way down river from training with other marine deputies from around the state, arrived on scene.
After being flagged down and informed about the drowning by witnesses, began searching for Birdsell and the two marine deputies with the Linn County Sheriff’s office began searching for Birdsell, quickly locating Birdsell submerged in about six feet of water.
Birdsell was pulled out of the water and onto the Deputies boat and CPR was started immediately while they transported Birdsell to the boat ramp where Cal Ore Life Flight continued lifesaving efforts immediately as they transported him to the boat ramp where Cal Ore Life Flight continued lifesaving efforts.
Birdsell was transported to Curry General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff.
