Trying to add a payment method? You can do this on the 
QuickTake:
A water rescue was called in before 8:45 p.m. on Friday, June 26, but first responders were not able to revive the swimmer once he was pulled from the water.
This story has been updated with the identity of the person who died.
A 21-year-old man from Kansas drowned in the Blue Pool along the McKenzie River Friday, June 26, authorities said.
Kenny Truong died after jumping into the water at Tamolitch Falls, off Highway 126, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Monday. Truong attended Wichita State University, a university spokesperson said, and a GoFundMe page is raising money for his family’s funeral expenses.
Lane County call logs show a water rescue was called in before 8:45 p.m.
According to an Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District Facebook post, the agency was responding to reports “that a swimmer had gone underwater and did not resurface.”
About three minutes later, first responders were on the scene, and were able to find the swimmer and recover him from the water.
“Despite the tireless efforts of first responders, the individual could not be revived,” the post reads. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.”
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office in a news release said Truong was visiting the area with friends.
“Witnesses describe him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging,” the sheriff’s office said.
In its Facebook post, the fire district also thanked its volunteers “for answering the call and serving our community during these challenging incidents,” and members of the public “who stepped in to help” during the response.
In the statement, the agency also said that Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Lane County Search and Rescue assisted them on scene.
Blue Pool, on the McKenzie River off of Highway 126, is a popular spot frequently recommended on social media as a hidden gem of Oregon, beloved for the water’s striking blue color.
But it is also dangerous. At its deepest point, the pool is 30 feet deep, and the water is 37 degrees on average. Jumping into the water from surrounding cliffs, which range from 10 to 60 feet tall, is a frequent activity for visitors.
Cold water shock, the physical response to plunging into cold water that causes involuntary gasping and rapid hyperventilation and can lead to drowning, can begin at water temperatures below 70 degrees, according to the National Weather Service guidance on cold water.
“While it is not against the rules to jump in, people have been severely injured or died at this site in the past,” the Forest Service’s location listing reads. “There is minimal to zero phone reception in the area, and it can take hours for emergency responders to arrive.”
In 2023, a proposed swimming ban at Blue Pool from Forest Service officials gained some traction after five people were rescued in three days, but ultimately did not go forward.
Correspondent Jaime Adame contributed to this report.
