Don Robertson, Metro parks and nature interim director, on the tragic death Monday of Noorullah Tajik, 20:
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Noorullah Tajik during this difficult time.
Around 3 p.m. Monday, staff members at Blue Lake Regional Park were notified that a man had gone under the water in Blue Lake. We immediately contacted authorities and assisted in the search effort.
The man and a woman were in a rented paddle boat when they began to move about the boat, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, which responded to the incident.
Both the man and woman sat on one side of the boat, causing it to list, and the two people then eased themselves into the water to swim, according to initial reports from eyewitnesses.
Once in the water, both swimmers began to struggle, according to the sheriff’s office. A bystander on the dock saw the two swimmers and jumped in the water to help. The bystander was able to help the woman onto a boat, but the man had gone under the water.
Safety is our top priority at Metro. Although the weather is getting hot, please keep in mind that the water in local lakes and rivers remains cold and currents can be swift.
Blue Lake Regional Park remains open, and paddle boats are available for rent. River Trails, Inc. operates the boat concession facility at Blue Lake. The contract requires River Trails to inspect all of the rented watercraft and personal flotation devices at least once a week, and additional inspections are being completed Tuesday.
Life jackets are issued to everybody who rents a boat, and they need to be worn at all times.
Thank you to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Gresham Fire Department for their quick response and hard work during a challenging situation.