Man Drowns on Deschutes Saturday by Maggie Young of the Chronicle,, Front page A weekend rafting trip claimed the life of a 19-year-old man in the Wapinitia rapids of the Deschutes River (Oregon), according to the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. Benjamin Rofinot of Warren (Oregon) fell out of a raft at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday night, said Detective Rick Eiesland. His body was found downriver nearly 45 minutes later by WCSO deputies and brought to shore with the help of two kayakers. Rofinot, along with around 17 other people, had spent the day rafting. No one in Rofinot's boat was wearing a lifejacket when the incident occurred. The report states that the party wore lifejackets until they reached calm water. When they came around a bend, they didn't have time to get their flotation devices back on before they hit the rapids. Police are treating this as a boating accident and do not suspect foul play. The Dalles Chronicle July 8, 2002 Written permission to reprint article given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, Oregon. Copied and submitted by Earline Wasser. Researching: WASSER, GOAR, JOURNEY, HAMM, VINZANT, McNEAL, MATHIESON