January 30, 2024 6:55 a.m. 

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the search for a scuba diver who went missing on Sunday.

Lieutenant Brad O’Dell said shortly before 3:00 p.m. dispatchers received a call from a woman reporting that her friend, 47-year old Jeffery Scott Harris of Eugene, had gone missing after scuba diving in the Umpqua River near the mouth of the Pacific Ocean in Winchester Bay at approximately 12:30 p.m. O’Dell said Harris, who had previous diving experience, had not returned prompting the call to emergency personnel.

DCSO, along with the United States Coast Guard, began a large-scale search for Harris. Two USCG boats along with a helicopter searched the water. DCSO’s search and rescue unit searched by land with K9 teams and all-terrain vehicles until dark.

O’Dell said on Monday searchers resumed their efforts by water and ground. Dive rescue teams from Douglas and Lane counties attempted to dive in the morning during low tide, but had to abort their efforts due to dangerous diving conditions. The USCG helicopter assisted in searching throughout the morning.

O’Dell said, “We have been in communication with Jeffrey’s family and have kept them updated as to the efforts that are being made. We are doing everything we can to assist them in locating Jeffery”. O’Dell said deputies will continue to patrol the area by land Tuesday. DCSO is also coordinating with outside agencies to determine if specialized underwater searching equipment can be utilized in the conditions.

DCSO has been assisted by the United States Coast Guard, Oregon State Coast Guard, Oregon State SAR Coordinator, CAHOOTS of Eugene, Lane County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Marine Patrol and Douglas County Search and Rescue.