Teen Drowns While Swimming in Willamette River

Fire and rescue crews remind everyone swimming or playing in any body of water in Oregon to wear a life jacket, whether or not you are a good swimmer.

The body of a teenager who drowned Friday afternoon while swimming in the Willamette River near the Sellwood Bridge has been recovered. Photo Courtesy: Portland Fire and Rescue

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - Rescue crews are still searching for the body of a teenager who drowned Friday afternoon while swimming in the Willamette River near the Sellwood Bridge has been recovered.

Portland Fire and Rescue says 18-year-old Mario Antonio Martinez Villalta was swimming with another person from the East Bank of the Willamette River near a construction barge and was having trouble making it back to shore. Officials said the teen was not a strong swimmer and that he was not wearing a life jacket.

It was originally reported that the two swimmers had jumped from the Sellwood Bridge prior to the incident, but it was later confirmed by rescue officials that the swimmers entered the water from the East Bank of the Willamette River.

Portland Fire and Rescue made every effort to find the boy Friday, but had to call off the search due to darkness and safety concerns at 11:00 p.m.