Oregon athlete dies in swimming accident

Todd Lamar Doxey, a student at the University of Oregon, died Sunday following a swimming accident on the McKenzie River. Doxey was a red-shirt freshmen on the University of Oregon football team last year. He had joined several of his teammates on Sunday afternoon to float down the McKenzie River. Most of the participants had started down the river in inner-tubes when Doxey apparently decided to jump off a nearby bridge. According to reports, Doxey swam some distance before experiencing problems in the water. His teammates were already downriver and were unable to reach him to render assistance. Another boat coming down the river was able to retrieve Doxey. The accident occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. Doxey was transported to McKenzie-Willamette Hospital at 3:55 p.m., and was later transferred to Sacred Heart Medical Center at 6:25 p.m. Doxey was pronounced dead at Sacred Heart at 8:06 p.m. on Sunday evening.

"This is a heartbreaking situation for Todd's family, friends, teammates and classmates," said University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer. "We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone touched by this terrible accident."

"Anytime a young man or woman dies, it's just a tragedy," Oregon head football coach Mike Bellotti said. "My heart goes out to his family and to our players, some whom were there and some who will find out about it later. This is just one of those things we don't have answers for."

"It's obviously a very helpless feeling for me not to be there," added Bellotti, who was scheduled to return from California Monday.

University of Oregon officials have been in contact with Doxey's family in San Diego, California and are working to help arrange travel to Eugene. Doxey was born on March 4, 1989 and graduated from Hoover High School in San Diego.