11/08/2026
RELEASE DATE: August 10, 2026
INCIDENT: Drowning / Reid Litwack Recovery
INCIDENT DATE / TIME: 08/07/2026, 11:14am
REPORTING DEPUTY: Undersheriff Snyder
On Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 1:16pm, 911 received a message from a Garmin GPS device stating there was a rafting accident at Wildcat Rapid in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River, and they were unable to locate the rafter. It was reported that 65-year-old Reid Litwack, was in an inflatable raft when it got pinned in the rapid where he was swept underwater and never surfaced. Garmin was able to assist dispatchers with communicating with the rafting party while Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Search and Rescue (SAR) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) personnel developed a plan to rescue the rafting party.
At 5:30am the following morning, Deputies and BLM personnel made their way out to the rafters’ location, hiking for several hours to reach them. The party was able to hike themselves out of the area, and BLM made arrangements to float their belongings and equipment further down river and placed it in safe keeping to be retrieved at a later time. Between the time of the initial report and the rescue, Reid never resurfaced.
On Friday, August 7, 2026, at 11:14am, 911 received a message from another GPS device stating an unrelated rafting party had discovered a body in the river downstream from the initial incident. Deputies, SAR and BLM began a recovery mission putting a raft in at Grave Creek. BLM was able to skillfully and quickly navigate the river and reach the location after a 2-hour float where they and Deputies attempted to find the body based off information relayed in the text message. Unfortunately, markers left to assist them were no longer there and after an extensive search of the area, they were unable to locate the body.
On Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 10:46am, Deputies once again put in Grave Creek to search. At 2:01pm, Dispatchers received a satellite text from our Deputies that the body had successfully been located and recovered. SAR was notified and met Deputies at Black Bar Lodge to assist with transportation.
Investigators believe this to be Reid Litwack, however, confirmation will still need to be completed with the assistance of the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. Next of kin have been notified.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Reid during this difficult and sad time.
We would like to recognize and thank our BLM partners along with our SAR Volunteers and Black Bar Lodge for their assistance in coordinating this recovery.
This is a reminder that when rafting or enjoying the river, please make sure you are prepared for medical emergencies and have alternate forms of communication in rural areas. Additionally, share your routes and expected return time with someone before leaving.
ORIGINAL INFORMATION:
Date of Report: 8/4/26
Case: 26-21169
Name: Reid Litwack
Age: 65
S*x: Male
Race: Caucasian
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 140
Hair: Red/Grey
Eyes: Blue
Information: Ried was last seen on Tuesday August 4th at Wild Cat rapid in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River while on a rafting trip. Reid was last seen wearing a red long sleeve shirt with a hood and green pants. The photo was taken during the rafting trip. If you have any information as to his whereabouts, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, 541-474-5123.
