46-Year-Old Believed Dead in Section of Rogue River Rapids

On Thursday, September 28th, 2023, at 4:27 PM, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call via satellite phone regarding a drowning incident in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River.

According to information provided to 911, a group of 11 individuals embarked on an adventure, navigating the challenging waters of the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River with five rafts in tow. Tragedy struck when one of the rafts became ensnared in the currents of Wild Cat Rapids, approximately 5 miles downstream from the Grave Creek Boat Ramp.

While attempting to dislodge the raft, a member of the group, David Bartecchi, a 46-year-old male from Colorado, slipped on a submerged rock and was swept away by the river. The fast-moving waters propelled him into a perilous “strainer” formed by two massive rocks, where he became trapped beneath the surface. Desperate efforts by fellow group members to free him were thwarted by the relentless force of the water.

A coordinated responses came from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue teams, and the Bureau of Land Management. To facilitate the rescue operation, the river was temporarily closed, as multiple rope systems were set up across the turbulent waters. A BLM raft, carrying a specialized rescue team, was expertly maneuvered using a pulley system to a central rock within Wild Cat Rapids.

Despite the challenging conditions posed by the rapid current and slippery rocks, rescue teams made several attempts to reach Bartecchi. Long poles and intricate rope systems were employed in the rescue operation. Regrettably, the powerful river currents made it impossible to access Bartecchi, ultimately pulling him beneath the rock and downstream.

Search efforts persisted until 8:30 PM on Thursday evening before being suspended until the following day. On Friday morning at 7:00 AM, the search resumed, with teams scouring the area for any sign of Bartecchi. Tragically, despite hours of intensive searching, David Bartecchi remains missing at the time of this article.

Authorities say next of kin has been informed of the situation, and further details will be shared with the public as they become available. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, emphasizing the importance of safety precautions when enjoying the outdoors.

10/11/23 UPDATE: On October 9th,at approx 3:30 PM, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a deceased male was located between Upper and Lower Washboard on the Rogue River. The male was later identified as David Bartecchi. A local rafting outfitter, Orange Torpedo, volunteered their time and assisted in recovering David.