{"id":1628,"date":"2026-07-06T16:43:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:43:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/?p=1628"},"modified":"2026-07-06T16:43:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:43:04","slug":"college-student-drowns-after-jumping-into-oregons-iconic-blue-pool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/2026\/07\/college-student-drowns-after-jumping-into-oregons-iconic-blue-pool\/","title":{"rendered":"College Student Drowns After Jumping Into Oregon\u2019s Iconic Blue Pool"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Adobe Stock | Inset: GoFundMe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A summer trip to one of Oregon’s most scenic destinations ended in tragedy after a 21-year-old Kansas college student drowned in waters authorities say have claimed lives before.<\/p>\n

Kenny Truong, a finance major at Wichita State University, died on June 26 after jumping into Tamolitch Falls, better known as Blue Pool, while visiting the popular hiking destination with friends.<\/p>\n

According to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a 911 call at 8:47 p.m. reporting that a man had entered the water and was struggling to make it back to shore.<\/p>\n

“Witnesses describe him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging,” Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith said in a statement. “Despite the best efforts of those at Tamolitch Falls who tried to help him, and the first responders who arrived in response to the 911 call, Kenny did not survive.”<\/p>\n

Emergency crews from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire responded to the remote location, but rescuers were unable to save the young student.<\/p>\n

Smith expressed sympathy for those grieving the loss, saying, “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Kenny Truong, 21, of Kansas, during what is an unimaginable time.”<\/p>\n

Blue Pool is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise water and breathtaking scenery, attracting hikers and tourists from across the Pacific Northwest. But beneath its beauty lies a serious danger. Authorities say the water averages just 37 degrees, cold enough to trigger immediate physical shock. The cliffs surrounding the pool range from 10 to 60 feet high, and the remote location has little to no cellphone service, making emergency rescues especially difficult.<\/p>\n

Officials offered a sobering warning to future visitors.<\/p>\n

“It is also a place that has taken lives before and will take lives again if visitors do not understand what they are facing,” Smith said.<\/p>\n

The sheriff’s office added that when emergencies occur at Blue Pool or along the trail, “it can take up to several hours from the moment of injury to reach a hospital.”<\/p>\n

Truong was remembered not only for his academic pursuits but also for the way he cared for others. Carter Nguyen, a spokesperson for the Truong family, described him as someone whose kindness left a lasting impact.<\/p>\n

“Kenny was the kind of person this world doesn’t see enough of,” Nguyen told Fox News Digital. “He was genuinely, unconditionally there for the people around him not just when things were good, but especially in the darkest of times. He would set aside everything he had going on to make sure the people he loved were okay.”<\/p>\n

Nguyen added, “Kenny leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and light. We ask that you keep his family in your hearts, continue to lift them up, and honor his memory by carrying forward the same spirit he gave to all of us every single day.”<\/p>\n

As family and friends mourn the loss of a promising young man, authorities are urging visitors to respect the hidden dangers of Blue Pool and exercise extreme caution before entering the water.<\/p>\n

Heavenly Father, we pray for Kenny Truong’s family, friends, and everyone grieving this heartbreaking loss. Surround them with Your comfort and peace, and remind them of Your presence in the midst of sorrow. May Your love sustain them in the difficult days ahead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A summer trip to one of Oregon’s most scenic destinations ended in tragedy after a 21-year-old Kansas college student drowned in waters authorities say have claimed lives before. Kenny Truong, a finance major at Wichita State University, died on June 26 after jumping into Tamolitch Falls, better known as Blue Pool, while visiting the popular…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":1634,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nCollege Student Drowns After Jumping Into Oregon\u2019s Iconic Blue Pool<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Kansas college student drowned at Oregon's Blue Pool, prompting renewed warnings about the hidden dangers of the popular destination.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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