Kansas college student drowns after jumping into 'breathtaking' destination with deadly track record
A 21-year-old Wichita State University student drowned after jumping into a popular Oregon swimming hole where authorities say the water is cold enough to cause immediate physical shock.
Kenny Truong, of Wichita, Kansas, was visiting Tamolitch Falls, which is commonly known as Blue Pool, with friends Friday evening when he jumped into the water and was unable to get out, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office said.
Dispatchers received a 911 call at 8:47 p.m. on June 26 reporting that a man had gone into the pool, located off Highway 126, and was struggling.
"Witnesses describe him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging," Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith said in a release. "Despite the best efforts of those at Tamolitch Falls who tried to help him, and the first responders who arrived in response to the 911 call, Kenny did not survive."
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The Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire responded to the remote area Friday evening.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Kenny Truong, 21, of Kansas, during what is an unimaginable time," Smith said.
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Truong was a finance major at the W. Frank Barton School of Business and a member-at-large of the Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund, according to Wichita State University.
Blue Pool, known for its striking turquoise water and cliffside views, is a major draw for hikers and visitors across the Pacific Northwest, but officials warned it can be deadly.
"It is also a place that has taken lives before and will take lives again if visitors do not understand what they are facing," Smith said.
Authorities said the cliffs surrounding the pool rise between 10 and 60 feet, while the water averages just 37 degrees. The area also has minimal to no cellphone service, and rescue efforts can be complicated by the remote terrain.
"When something goes wrong at Blue Pool — or on the trail leading into the falls — it can take up to several hours from the moment of injury to reach a hospital," the sheriff’s office said.
Carter Nguyen, the Truong family spokesperson, remembered the college student as a deeply loved friend with "fire in him" who pushed others to become "the brightest, best, fullest" versions of themselves.
"Kenny was the kind of person this world doesn’t see enough of. He was genuinely, unconditionally there for the people around him not just when things were good, but especially in the darkest of times," Nguyen told Fox News Digital. "He would set aside everything he had going on to make sure the people he loved were okay."
"Kenny leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and light. We ask that you keep his family in your hearts, continue to lift them up, and honor his memory by carrying forward the same spirit he gave to all of us every single day," he said.
The sheriff’s office urged visitors to understand the risks before entering the water at Tamolitch Falls, watch out for the people they arrive with and call 911 immediately if someone is in distress. Officials said visitors with questions about current conditions should contact the McKenzie River Ranger Station.