A submerged pick-up truck with skeletal remains inside was recovered from the Columbia River near Hat Rock State Park by a dive and rescue crew.
According to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO), a couple were out scuba diving Thursday at the Hat Rock boat launch when they discovered a submerged Ford Ranger truck with Washington state license plates. The vehicle was in approximately 20 feet of water just past the end of the docks.
Umatilla County Sheriff’s Dispatch checked the license plate and discovered that the vehicle was associated with a missing person case from the Prosser Police Department in Washington state approximately 26 years ago. Maynard Koen, who was born in 1911, was originally listed as a missing person in August of 1993.
The sheriff’s office arranged for Columbia Basin Dive & Rescue and D&R Towing from Hermiston to assist in recovering the submerged vehicle. On Saturday, at approximately 10:30 a.m., crews met at the location to begin the recovery. UCSO Marine deputies were on scene to assist with any boating traffic or other water-based needs. After approximately two hours, the vehicle was removed from the water and transported to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.
Inside the vehicle were skeletal remains and a driver’s license issued to Koen.
The sheriff’s office is waiting for a positive identification by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
