By, Pat Dooris

I covered the drowning of Mic Woodrum today. Its a heartbreaker. He'd just returned from a Boy Scout trip and was having fun along the Clackamas river with his family.

His troop leader, John Kunzler told me he'd discovered Mic was not a strong swimmer during scout camp last summer.

But he said Mic loved being with the guys--- and probably could not resist the pull to follow the brother he loved and admired across the river.

We reported all that, but we were not able to get into the terror that no doubt sprang to life as events unfolded.

The older brother Tabor, who is 18, noticed Mic was struggling and went back to save him.

The scout leader says Tabor was actually able to grab Mic for a moment, but he was tired too and the current too strong. He couldn't hang on and the river swept both teens down over fast, deadly rapids.

Tabor barely survived himself and was pulled to shore by people who noticed what was happening.

In an instant, a fun family outing turned into a horrible nightmare---one that hasnt ended for many who loved Mic Woodrum.

Tonight, the family's friends and loved ones and their Mormon Church are offering comfort.

Keep them in your thoughts.

pd

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