Teen airlifted after incident at lake in Black Butte Ranch

An 18-year-old man was airlifted to the hospital in the wake of an incident at Black Butte Ranch on Sunday, June 2.

Black Butte Ranch Fire Department, Black Butte Police Department, and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded at about 2:19 p.m. to a report of a drowning at Phalarope Lake located on Black Butte Ranch. When medics and officers arrived, it was found that three witnesses to the event had gone into the lake and brought the victim to shore.

Medics immediately began CPR, and when stabilized the victim was flown to St. Charles Medical Center by air ambulance where he remained in medical care as of Monday afternoon.

According to BBR police, the victim was on a 10.5-foot paddle board at the time of the incident and it is unknown if he was in possession of a personal floatation device at the time of the incident.

The name of the victim is currently being withheld until proper notification of his family is completed.

Phalarope Lake is a popular location for swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding for residents and visitors to Black Butte Ranch.

The investigation into this incident is continuing.