Ground Search Continues for Sandy, Oregon Teen "Swept Away" in River
"P.J. [Patrick Monteith] is very familiar with the terrain and he knows how to survive in the forest," said the boys Aunt Barbra Myers "if the rescuers say he� s not in the River, we are hoping that he is waiting for help to come."

/Washington News Articles/ - SANDY, OR, July 02, 2008 - The family and friends of Patrick "P.J." Monteith, the 16-year-old Sandy High School student who was swept down the Sandy River Saturday, are looking for volunteers and support as they mount a ground search effort to find the boy. The Clackamas County Sheriff s Office ended their search Sunday, June 29th after reporting that their "best efforts to locate [him] have failed," but Monteith s family is not ready to give up hope. Rescuers have encouraged the family and friends to continue the search through an organized volunteer effort so the family is amassing a land-based search in hopes that Monteith has made it to shore and is lost in the woods.

"P.J. is a kind and caring young man who has always remained optimistic and supportive during difficult times� "we owe him the same now that he needs our help," stated Monteiths Family on behalf of his Mother, Patty McCally. "We would like to thank the people who have provided us with an outpouring of support and we hope to harness that support for the search that will continue."

The family is requesting volunteers who are experienced hikers to help in search teams that will cover the heavily wooded and underdeveloped land along the Sandy River. Property owners in the area are also asked to contact the coordinators to access areas that had been denied to State Rescuers. Volunteer search teams are meeting every morning at 6am on the corner of US 26 and East Sylvan Drive in Sandy, OR.

Volunteers are asked to contact: Linda Soul� at (503) 956-3031

If people wish to provide support for the effort and cannot afford the time, donations are being accepted through the Patrick Monteith Rescue Fund at Bank of America.

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