Search suspended for 6-year-old swept into Clackamas River

RIPPLEBROOK RANGER STATION, Ore. – The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office has suspended the search for 6-year-old Vinesa Snegur, who fell into the Clackamas River Sunday afternoon while playing in the nearby snow with her family.

The sheriff’s office says deteriorating weather conditions and high water are putting rescue crews at risk.

Searchers found three pieces of clothing that Vinesa was wearing when she was swept away: a hood on the bottom of the river 2 miles downriver, a fleece jacket 3 miles downriver and another jacket on the river bank 8 miles from where she fell into the water.

Search dogs trained to identify human scent were not able to find any evidence that she left the river.

At 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, members of the sheriff’s office informed Vinesa’s parents that the search was suspended.

The Portland girl was playing in the snow with her parents near Austin Hot Springs about 30 miles east of Estacada Sunday afternoon when she fell into the river.

Vinesa's family had to drive seven miles to the Ripplebrook Ranger Station to call 911 with a landline phone because there was no cell phone service in the area.

About 50 people searched along a four-mile stretch of the river. There were divers in the water, people searching along the banks and a National Guard helicopter was able to make a few passes over the river.

No searchers were injured in the rescue effort.

Vinesa is a student at Mill Park Elementary School in the David Douglas School District. Children at the school made cards for her and have counselors to talk to this week.