Kenny Truong, a 21-year-old Wichita State University student, died after entering the Blue Pool at Tamolitch Falls on the evening of June 26, authorities said. A 911 call reporting a man in distress came in at 8:47 p.m.; witnesses told deputies the visitor was seen struggling in the water, swimming toward shore and then submerging.
Blue Pool drowning: what happened
According to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, friends were with Truong when he jumped into the Blue Pool, a popular but hazardous swimming spot accessed from Highway 126. Deputies responding to the report later identified the victim as Kenny Truong of Wichita, Kansas.
Witnesses described seeing Truong try to swim to the shore before going under. Emergency dispatchers recorded the initial call at 8:47 p.m. on June 26; local agencies responded and recovery efforts were mounted in difficult terrain, but Truong did not survive.
How responders reached the remote pool
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire, the sheriff’s office said. Responders also coordinated with forest and recreation personnel as needed for access and extraction.
Officials emphasize that reaching the Blue Pool often requires steep, narrow trails and long approaches. In many parts of the area cellphone service is minimal or nonexistent, which can delay notification and complicate coordination for ground and air resources. The sheriff’s office cautioned that transport from the trailhead to definitive medical care can take hours in some conditions.
Undersheriff Micah Smith expressed sympathy for the family and urged visitors to be cautious. The sheriff’s office’s account remains the primary source for the incident details reported to date.
Why Blue Pool is dangerous
Tamolitch Falls and the Blue Pool are visually striking, but they present multiple hazards. The pool’s water temperature is reported to average in the upper 30s Fahrenheit — roughly 37 degrees — which significantly increases the risk of cold-water shock. Sudden immersion in very cold water can trigger an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing, a spike in heart rate and reduced muscle control, any of which can cause even strong swimmers to lose the ability to keep their airway clear.
Terrain around the pool includes cliffs and ledges ranging roughly from 10 to 60 feet. Jumping or diving from height increases the risk of impact injuries, head trauma or becoming separated from a flotation device or group. Combined with cold water, a leg or spinal injury can quickly turn a survivable fall into a fatal situation.
Search and rescue teams say the combination of cold water, cliff hazards and spotty communications is why incidents at Blue Pool can result in delayed extrication and long transport times to hospitals.
Who was Kenny Truong
Wichita State University confirmed Truong was a finance major at the W. Frank Barton School of Business and a member-at-large of the Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund. University officials said members of the campus community are grieving and that resources are being offered to classmates and faculty.
Friends and classmates set up a GoFundMe organized by Carter Nguyen to assist the family; tributes there described Truong as someone who “made others feel seen” and who was a close friend to many. Memorial comments on social pages and the fundraising page emphasized his energy, humor and support for friends.
Safety takeaways for Tamolitch Falls visitors
Officials and recreation managers urge anyone planning a visit to Tamolitch Falls to prepare before going: check current trail conditions and closures with the McKenzie River Ranger Station, travel with a group, know that cellphone coverage is unreliable, and avoid cliff jumps or dives. If you plan to enter the water, understand that very cold temperatures can incapacitate swimmers in minutes.
Specific precautions recommended by responders and recreation professionals include wearing a personal flotation device for any water activity, remaining within sight of your group, carrying a whistle or other signaling device, telling someone off-trail when and where you are going, and calling 911 immediately if someone is in trouble. Expect that extrication and transport to definitive care may be prolonged in remote sections of the McKenzie River corridor.
Short memorial and community response
Classmates and friends posted tributes describing Truong as a driven student who supported peers academically and personally. Wichita State officials noted his involvement with the finance program and the Cummings fund and said the university community is mourning his loss. The GoFundMe page organized by a friend has drawn messages of condolence and support for the family.
Source attribution and official links
This report is based on statements and public information from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and responding agencies. For official incident details and advisories, see the Linn County Sheriff’s Office (https://www.linnsheriff.org), the Lane County Sheriff’s Office (https://lanecountyor.gov/Departments/Sheriff), and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire (https://uppermckenziefire.org). For current trail and water conditions, contact the McKenzie River Ranger Station and Willamette National Forest recreation pages: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette.
Wichita State University acknowledged Truong’s enrollment and campus ties; see Wichita State University news and student resources: https://www.wichita.edu/news. Memorial details are attributed to a GoFundMe organized by Carter Nguyen and to statements from friends and classmates shared on that page. For broader contemporary coverage, see the Fox News account cited below.
FAQ
How did the Blue Pool drowning happen?
Authorities say Kenny Truong jumped into the Blue Pool and was later seen struggling; a 911 call reporting a man in distress was received at 8:47 p.m. on June 26. Responding agencies recovered the victim but he did not survive, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
What is cold water shock and could it cause drowning?
Cold water shock is the body’s immediate reaction to sudden immersion in very cold water: an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and loss of muscular control. Officials say Blue Pool’s temperature — about 37 degrees — can cause shock that impairs breathing and swimming ability, increasing drowning risk.
Are there safety rules for visiting Tamolitch Falls?
Bring a partner, check conditions with the McKenzie River Ranger Station, avoid cliff jumping, consider a life jacket if you enter the water, and be aware that limited cellphone service and remote trails can delay rescues. Call 911 if someone is in danger.
Contextual news coverage: Fox News report. Official agencies linked above should be consulted for the latest advisories and statements.
