Teen who disappeared in Santiam River near Mill City identified

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities have identified the 18-year-old who was disappeared near the Santiam River in Mill City on Tuesday.

Karandeep Singh was last seen around 10 p.m. while walking with his friends near the river, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

“He had been drinking and said he was going to get into the river. Singh did not know how to swim but had been in the shallow waters of the river before,” officials said. “His friends tried to stop him, but he jumped in the river in an area that was much deeper than where he had been previously.”

Witnesses told deputies that two people tried to save Singh, but lost him. His disappearance was reported to officials the following morning, though investigators added the delay was due to a language barrier.

Search teams have been looking for Singh since Wednesday, and water rescue teams continue to use ground search members, drones, and underwater camera equipment to find him.

“The waters in this particular area are running very fast with a large amount of underwater debris and entanglement hazards, so the divers had to use extreme caution while conducting the search,” officials said.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office also expressed “deepest sympathies for Singh’s family and friends.”

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.