An 18-year-old Central Point man is beginning what is expected to be an extensive recovery after suffering a severe spinal cord injury while jumping from a pedestrian suspension bridge into the Illinois River in Josephine County.
Hunter Clevenger was swimming with friends near McCaleb Ranch on Wednesday, August 19, when he jumped from the Swinging Bridge, a suspension bridge positioned high above the Illinois River. Clevenger struck the water with considerable force, sustaining serious injuries to the lower thoracic portion of his spine. Another swimmer at the recreation area called 911 after Clevenger indicated that he could not feel his legs following the impact.
Emergency personnel from the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response evaluated Clevenger at the scene. His injuries were determined to require advanced hospital care, and Mercy Flights transported him by helicopter to Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford.
Medical examinations revealed significant spinal trauma, including an injury involving the T12 vertebra. Clevenger subsequently underwent emergency spinal surgery lasting approximately eight hours. Surgeons placed rods and screws around the damaged area of his spine to stabilize the injury.
His long-term neurological prognosis remains uncertain. Family information and regional reporting indicate that Clevenger suffered a severe spinal cord injury and could face permanent paralysis, but there has been no public medical determination establishing whether the loss of movement will be permanent. His recovery is expected to involve substantial rehabilitation following hospitalization and surgery.
The accident has drawn increasing attention throughout Southern Oregon as information about Clevenger and the extent of his injuries has become public. Although the incident occurred August 19, detailed information began circulating more widely several days later, followed by regional television coverage and growing attention to a fundraiser established for his recovery.
Clevenger had already begun establishing himself as a young entrepreneur before the accident. He operated Pips Window Cleaning and had developed additional business ventures while beginning an independent life at 18. He had recently moved into his own residence and acquired a company van as his window-cleaning operation expanded.
The sudden injury has interrupted his ability to work while creating medical, rehabilitation and everyday living expenses. A fundraiser established August 20 has set a $50,000 goal to assist with hospitalization, rehabilitation, medical equipment and continuing expenses during his recovery. Donations began accumulating rapidly as information about the accident spread throughout the Rogue Valley and Illinois Valley.
Clevenger also has longstanding connections with the McPartland family and the Volt Foundation. He grew up alongside Liam McPartland, who died in 2025 after being struck by a motorcyclist. The foundation subsequently established in Liam’s memory supports young people pursuing entrepreneurship, college and vocational education. Clevenger previously received an entrepreneurship award through the organization, which has now contributed matching financial assistance toward his recovery.
The August 19 emergency response involved Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Mercy Flights. While Josephine County Search and Rescue frequently responds to wilderness, river and technical rescue emergencies throughout the county, publicly available information has not confirmed that Search and Rescue participated in Clevenger’s rescue. No separate Josephine County Sheriff’s Office release detailing the incident has been located.
The Swinging Bridge near McCaleb Ranch is a pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the Illinois River in the Selma area. River levels were reported to be low when the accident occurred, although no responding agency has publicly established that water depth caused or contributed to Clevenger’s injuries.
For Clevenger, the immediate emergency has now shifted from rescue and surgery to rehabilitation. The extent of neurological recovery following his spinal cord injury remains undetermined, leaving his future mobility dependent upon the progression of his recovery and continuing medical evaluation.