Sandy Man Drowns While Working Beneath Boathouse at Tahkenitch Lake
An 81-year-old Sandy man drowned Saturday while attempting to place air-filled barrels beneath a boathouse at Tahkenitch Lake. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said it was the county’s third drowning in less than a month.
GARDINER, Ore. - An 81-year-old Sandy man drowned Saturday while attempting to place air-filled barrels beneath a boathouse at Tahkenitch Lake near Gardiner.
According to a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report, Mac Lloyd Lynn Hayes and his son were staying at a boathouse on the lake when Hayes decided to inflate barrels and position them underneath the structure to help keep it afloat.
Hayes’ son reportedly suggested hiring someone to complete the work because of his father’s age, but Hayes declined. Authorities said Hayes had set up an air compressor to provide him with air while he worked underwater.
Hayes entered the water to place the barrels beneath the boathouse but did not return to the surface.
A short time later, his son found the breathing apparatus floating freely in the lake and could not locate Hayes. He then called 911.
Members of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded and quickly located Hayes beneath the boathouse. He was pronounced deceased.
The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified.
The sheriff’s office said this was the third drowning reported in Douglas County in less than a month.
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