The Baker County Sheriff’s Office announced the recovery of the body of a 69-year-old man, identified as Mark Norenberg, from Phillips Reservoir in Oregon on January 27, 2024, concluding an extensive search and rescue operation.
Norenberg, a Granite, Oregon resident, was reported missing under suspicious circumstances at the reservoir on January 25, 2024.
The search for the missing angler began following a report of an unattended chair and a large hole in the ice at Phillips Reservoir.
A vehicle and a dog hiding underneath it were also discovered at the boat ramp. Prompted by this report, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation, deploying the Baker County Search and Rescue (SAR) team to the site.
Deputy Adam Robb of the SAR team, donning a dry suit and secured with a rope, ventured over the ice on a rescue raft. Nearing about 35 yards from the shore, Deputy Robb unexpectedly broke through the ice. Submerged, he discovered several of Norenberg’s belongings.
The Search and Rescue Ropes Team hauled Deputy Robb back to safety on the shore without recovering the missing man.
The mission resumed two days later, on January 27, with involvement from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, SAR teams, and Norenberg’s friends and family.
The operation faced significant challenges due to the thick ice covering the reservoir.
Norenberg’s friends and family utilized jon boats, which are flat-bottomed utility boats, to navigate the ice, using chainsaws to cut a path back to shore.
This critical effort aided the search teams, who employed a rope system and manual labor to move large ice slabs, creating a clear path for divers.
On January 27, the search teams, utilizing boats, successfully located and recovered Norenberg’s body.
The Baker County Sheriff’s Office, in its official statement, recognized the vital contributions of volunteers, particularly those of Norenberg’s friends and family, who dedicated their time and personal equipment to the operation.
Sheriff Travis Ash expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved in the operation. He acknowledged the extensive community efforts, noting, “This was a tragic situation, and I offer my sincerest condolences to those grieving the loss of Mark.”
In the wake of this incident, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued cautionary advice, urging the community to exercise extreme caution during ice-related activities, citing the current unstable ice conditions caused by unseasonably warm weather.
Located about 350 miles southeast of Portland, Phillips Reservoir is a popular spot for ice fishing.
