Paddle boarder drowns at Frenchman’s Bar

A 30-year-old paddle boarder from Hillsboro, Ore., drowned in the Columbia River at Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park about 4 p.m. Monday

Vancouver police said the man, whose name was not released, fell off his paddle board and was struggling to swim ashore when he disappeared under the water.

Fire department rescue swimmers searched for the man, but he had been underwater for several minutes and they were unable to locate him.

Members of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue dive team responded to assist in locating and recovering the body. He was located by divers and pronounced dead.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, a Portland fireboat and the U.S. Coast Guard also responded, providing resources and a tremendous effort trying to locate the swimmer.

The water temperature Monday was approximately 67 degrees in the lower Columbia River.

The park, popular on warm summer days,  is located northwest of Vancouver on the Washington side of the Columbia River.