"He was the kind of guy that made changes in people's lives."
ELKTON, Ore. – Josue Solares died doing what he loved.
That brings some comfort to his family, including older brother Chris Solares.
Josue Solares, a 15-year-old Springfield resident, is believed to have drowned in the Umpqua River near Elkton Saturday. Douglas County Sheriff deputies say Josue Solares was swept into the Sawyer Rapids and pulled underwater.
He was on a fishing trip with friends, according to his brother. The boys had put their poles down and wandered down stream. That's when Josue disappeared.
Rescue crews spent the weekend and Monday searching, but have not found his body.
"He was the kind of guy that made changes in people's lives and ultimately I think that's what we're here for," said Chris Solares, Josue's older brother.
He said Josue was funny and considerate and loved soccer.
The brothers returned from a church retreat in Southern California on July 27. According to Chris, the experience transformed Josue. Before the retreat, the 15-year-old attended church begrudingly. Afterward, he expressed a desire to develop a relationship with God.
"Our youth minister, [Josue] tells him, Iwant to know God," said Chris Solares. "We come back and This is what we get. Now he's with God. He wanted to get to know him."
On Saturday, citizens and police searched the banks, while a dive team searched the water and a Coast Guard helicopter searched from the air. The Solares family joined the search effort on Sunday.
Deputies say the Sawyer Rapids is a dangerous stretch of river for swimming because of the swift current, deep water and a narrow channel.
"It looks fun, it looks deceiving," said Chris Solares. "It looks easy. Unfortunately, he didn't know what was ahead of him."
According to deputies, Solares was not wearing a life jacket on Saturday.
