May 16, 2023 4:10 a.m.

A local teen drowned while swimming at Ben Irving Reservoir in Tenmile on Sunday.

Lieutenant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said at about 12:45 p.m. dispatchers began receiving reports that a swimmer was in distress. O’Dell said at the same time a Douglas County Marine Deputy, who was working on the waterway, radioed that a distressed swimmer had gone under water. The deputy had attempted to assist the swimmer without success.

Deputies later learned that the swimmer was 15-year old Myles Martin Swenson of Tenmile and was presumed drowned. Efforts to locate Swenson by divers and rescuers were unsuccessful on Sunday after extensive above and underwater searching.

O’Dell said on Monday efforts to locate Swenson resumed. DCSO was assisted by Douglas County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Dive Team, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Search and rescue and the Oregon State Police. With use of Klamath County’s specialized sonar equipment, divers were deployed to a specific area where they located Swenson from the reservoir.

The Douglas County Medical Examiners Office responded and is conducting a death investigation.

O’Dell said on Sunday, additional assistance was received from Douglas County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Dive Team, Oregon State Police, Douglas County Fire District No. 2, Tenmile Rural Fire Department and the Winston-Dillard Fire Department.