Okanogan River Search Suspended at 4 p.m. as Severe Weather Hinders Hunt for Missing Man
Updated
Updated · Source ONE News · May 29
Okanogan River Search Suspended at 4 p.m. as Severe Weather Hinders Hunt for Missing Man
4 articles · Updated · Source ONE News · May 29
Crews halted the Okanogan River search at about 4 p.m. Thursday after severe weather interrupted efforts to find a man seen drifting face down south of Oroville.
Elevated runoff made the river dangerous, with strong currents, low visibility and debris limiting operations even after divers, watercraft and a drone were deployed.
The search began after a 2:30 p.m. May 27 call from a witness who said he had just spoken with the man in shallow water before hearing a sound and seeing him carried by the current.
Law enforcement, fire, EMS and Washington fish and wildlife crews searched through Wednesday evening and resumed Thursday morning; officials also recovered a firearm near where the man was last seen.
Authorities have not confirmed the man's identity, though earlier reports said family of reality TV figure Matt Brown feared he was the missing person.
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