TEEN DROWNS IN UMPQUA RIVER

Douglas Co. Sheriff's Office

OAKLAND, Ore. - A Roseburg teen died in a drowning accident on the Umpqua River on Sunday evening.

On Sunday, July 4, 2021, shortly after 6:30 p.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a water rescue near the Yellow Creek Boat Ramp (13000-block Highway 138W) outside of Oakland.  

Responders arrived to learn that 15 year-old Aliya Yasmin Grizzard of Roseburg had been floating on an inflatable air mattress in the Umpqua River with her family. While paddling downstream, Aliya and her air mattress were swept down through a rapid, causing Aliya to go into the water. She was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

Bystanders and family members attempted to locate Aliya after summoning responders. Aliya was eventually located by a bystander and brought to shore where lifesaving efforts were attempted, but were ultimately unsuccessful. 

DCSO was assisted by the Sutherlin Police Department, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Douglas County Fire District #2, Kellogg Fire Department & EMTs.