Roseburg Man Drowns in North Umpqua River at Whistlers Bend Park

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A Roseburg man died Tuesday afternoon after going underwater in the North Umpqua River at Whistlers Bend Park and failing to resurface.

Douglas County 911 dispatchers received multiple calls shortly after 3:30 p.m. on August 4 reporting that a person had disappeared beneath the water.

Deputies and emergency crews from several agencies responded and immediately began searching the area, despite initially having limited information about the missing person.

During the search, responders learned that people downstream had located the man and were performing CPR on a rock in the river. Emergency crews continued lifesaving efforts, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victim was identified as 44-year-old Jeffrey Andrew Kulluson of Roseburg. His family has been notified.

The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the death. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said there is currently no indication of suspicious circumstances.

The Sheriff’s Office extended its condolences to Kulluson’s family and friends.

Agencies assisting at the scene included the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Oregon State Police, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Glide Rural Fire Protection District and the ADAPT Mobile Crisis Team.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the incident marks the fifth water-related death in Douglas County this summer.

Officials are urging people recreating on local rivers and lakes to wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets and remain aware of changing currents, water conditions and cold water temperatures.