No injured cavers recorded.
In early August of 1984, tourists were visiting the Natural Bridge of the Rogue River north of Medford, Oregon. At the Natural Bridge, the full stream of the Rogue River flows through a lava cave for some 350 feet. This cave is apparently always filled to the roof with water. About 60 feet from the upper, submergence end is a round, shallow hole six to eight feet in diameter, called the 'Blowhole,' which leads to the main flow. The water in this hole is constantly churning. A man (about 40) was at the edge, observing, when he suddenly lost his balance and fell in. He quickly disappeared. The body was never recovered.
A friend was nearby but the victim was sucked into the flow too fast for the friend to be of aid. When you stand unbelayed at the brink of a pit or the edge of something like this, you court disaster. Churning water currents have a fearsome power.