Search Ends For Missing Inner-Tuber On The Washougal River
Clark County, WA – the search has ended for 30 year old Stephen Barnaby of Portland. Any attempt at this point would be a recovery effort.
On May 5, 2019 the Clark County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Region 4 Technical Rescue Team conducted a search Stephen Barnaby. This search consisted of flying multiple unmanned aircraft, ground searchers from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and Region 4 Technical Rescue Team. Additionally, under water cameras were used by the Technical Rescue Team. Stephen Barnaby remains missing at this time and the search has been suspended.
Authorities say Stephen Barnaby went inner-tubing Saturday night with a friend when they were knocked into the water. The friend, Emily McCauley was rescued, but she was unconscious. It wasn’t until she woke up Sunday morning that she told police she wasn’t alone. Firefighters say rescues like this are more common when the temperatures heat-up. Clark County Deputies tell Newspartner KGW neither person had a life-jacket on.
Read more from Clark Co. Sheriff’s Office
***Update for release of names****
The female rescued from the water on May 4, 2019 has been identified as 28 year old Emily McCauley of Portland
The male, who is currently missing has been identified as 30 year old Stephen Barnaby of Portland
On Saturday May 4, 2019 at approximately 2015 hours, Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 38700 block of NE Washougal River Road (Milepost 7.5) for a female screaming for help. Arriving deputies found a female submerged in the Washougal River up to her neck in the water. The 28 year old female was pinned by her legs in the rapid moving water. After nearly two hours of rescue operations, the female was removed from the water in an unconscious state and transported to a local hospital. After receiving medical treatment, the female resumed consciousness and provided information to law enforcement.
On Sunday May 5, 2019 at approximately 0500 hours, the now conscious female informed others that she was with a 30 year old male in the water the evening before. Deputies learned that the male and female intended on floating the “big eddy” at mile post 8 of the Washougal River Road. While they floated on separate inter-tubes, the male and female were swept into the fast moving current of the water. Both the male and female subsequently fell of their respected inter-tubes, at which time the female became entrapped within some debris and rocks below the water. The female recalled seeing the male floating by her when she became entrapped.
At this time the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, in addition to deputies and other searching resources have been deployed in attempt to locate the missing male. Deputies on scene have located an associated vehicle, the empty raft and other personal items belonging to the missing male. This portion of water is described as deep rapids and swift moving. The 30 year old missing person is being described as a white male with shoulder length brown hair, a short brown beard, last seen wearing black pants and a black t-shirt. This investigation and search are currently active, further details will be released as they are available.
