Bend man missing, presumed drowned after swimming at Diamond Lake

Published 1:27 pm Tuesday, August 20, 2024

The search is still underway for a 37-year-old Bend man who apparently drowned Saturday evening while swimming at Diamond Lake in the Umpqua National Forest.

After two days, search and rescue teams have not been able to find Chimanbai Patel, who did not resurface after jumping into the water from a pontoon boat, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Patel’s friends were also on the pontoon boat at the time. Dispatchers received calls reporting the incident at 5:38 p.m. Saturday.

Marine deputies with the sheriff’s office, a fire crew and an ambulance responded and searched with volunteers from the Diamond Lake Resort until dark. Since then, a dive team, search and rescue teams from two counties, Oregon State Police and a trained dog have been unsuccessful at finding Patel.

“This is a tragedy for his friends and family,” said Lt. Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. “We have been in communication with his family and will continue efforts to locate him so he can be returned to his loved ones. We are very grateful to our partner agencies who have been assisting us in our search.”

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