The water rescue is happening on the Sandy River

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 15-year-old boy drowned at Oxbow Park Monday afternoon.

The boy’s family called 911 just after 3:15 p.m. to report that he had gone under.

The boy had been wading about knee-deep in the water and then went under.

We just got to Oxbow where a water rescue had been playing out. A helicopter just left from here, working to confirm if it was Life Flight/ more details #KOIN6News pic.twitter.com/IaUAbN3s0w — Cole Miller (@ColeKOIN) August 12, 2019

Officials said there is a sharp drop-off in the water there and it’s unclear whether he was wearing a life jacket.

“As we know with this area, it drops off quick. Very quick and the current picks up,” Lt. Anthony Foster with Gresham Fire said. “It’s hard if you’re not a very good swimmer.”

A park ranger was in the water shortly after he went missing trying to help. A private helicopter and US Coast Guard flew overhead trying to see him but had no luck.

Search crews look for a teenager who drowned at Oxbow Park on August 12, 2019. (KOIN)

“The family had a good last seen point and on arrival, they were waiting for us to show us where he was,” Foster said.

Dive teams searched for hours but called it a recovery mission around 5 p.m.

His body was found around 7 p.m. a little downstream from where he was last seen.

“Whether you’re a child or an adult, these rivers are not a pool and it’s important to wear life jackets,” Foster said.

An 8-year-old boy also drowned at Oxbow Park on July 30. There are life jackets available to borrow at the park.