‘That shouldn’t happen again’: Local man recalls family’s tragic loss at Dillon Falls, wants to see cable across river
Claire Elmer
(Update: adding video, interview with Bend man, full story, Forest Service response)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As recovery efforts continue following the recent tragic tubing accident at Dillon Falls that claimed three lives, a local man says it’s a painful reminder of his family’s past tragedy.
In the 1980s, Danny Vanni lost his cousins, Steve and Ben, when they were swept over Dillon Falls.
“When I heard this had happened, I relive what happened with my two cousins. And I’m like – that shouldn’t happen again,” Vanni told KTVZ News.
Numerous people have lost their lives to the dangerous rapids over the decades, including a Bend man who died in 2022.
Vanni’s cousins had been floating with Ben’s three young sons, who miraculously survived. While Steve was found immediately, in a heartbreaking way, it took three more weeks before Ben was found.
“The good news is, three little boys lived. My aunt had a really tough time, because she saw her grandson floating on something in the water, and it turned out to be Steve’s body. He just told them, ‘Hang onto my neck and don’t let go – no matter what.’ And he didn’t,” Vanni said.
Prior to his cousins’ terrible accident, Vanni says a safety cable was stretched across the river. The cable gave people a final chance to pull themselves out, if they missed the final take-out point before the rapids.
Vanni claims the cable was taken down to film the movie ‘Up The Creek’ and was never replaced.
“There was a safety cable there just for people coming around the bend, when all of a sudden realize they’re not on the smooth, easy river part,” Vanni said. “And the idea was to hold on to the cable and pull yourself to the edge, or tie off and wait for rescue. But, they took the cable down for, I believe, a shot they needed of a raft going over the falls. They never put it back.”
KTVZ News reached out to the Deschutes National Forest to confirm the cable’s past existence and whether there’s any option to install something similar. At the time this story first aired, they said they’re currently looking into the situation and will provide information as soon as possible.
Vanni said he is speaking out in hopes the community and those in charge will come together, to prevent future tragedies from affecting another family.
“Keep all politics and all ridiculousness out of it. Please put the cable back. That’s all we’re asking. We’re a cool town. Let’s keep it safer,” Vanni said.
With one devastated family still waiting for closure, 10 days after the most recent accident at the Falls, safety is top of mind in the Central Oregon community.
Vanni hopes some good will come from these unimaginable losses. “My heart goes out to this family that’s lost people. I know that feeling and our prayers are with them,” Vanni said.
After this story first aired, KTVZ News received this response from the Forest Service:
“Our thoughts are with the individuals, families, friends, and communities affected by the incident at Dillon Falls on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Our staff don’t have historical context to share about whether or not there was a cable across the falls in the 1980s. Installing a permanent line or cable across the river would pose additional safety risks, because the water level fluctuates depending on the runoff and the time of year. Additionally, there are some skilled kayakers who enjoy this stretch of water, and we want to ensure that this access remains available and unimpeded for them, so we do not inadvertently create safety issues for those users as well.
We have evaluated options to help boaters and floaters be aware of the dangers of the rapids along this stretch of river but have not found ways to engineer a permanent solution that does not end up creating more safety issues for all users.
The Deschutes National Forest has focused on preventing accidents by posting signage at numerous points along the river with an emphasis on Know Before You Go. We encourage the public to understand the stretch of the river they plan to recreate on in advance, have deliberate discussions about how to safely exit the river, and ensure everyone has the proper protective equipment for the activity they are engaging in.”