Vancouver woman killed in boating accident on Willamette River

A Vancouver woman was killed Saturday after falling from a boat into the Willamette River in Portland and being struck by a second boat, according to an online fundraiser.

The Multnomah County, Ore., Sheriff’s Office identified the woman as 24-year-old Kaileigh Amor Seidel.

Seidel’s loved ones launched a GoFundMe, which had raised more than $28,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, to help with funeral expenses.

“Her amazing energy and beautiful smile always made this world a better place,” the GoFundMe states. “This tragedy has left so many of us heartbroken and confused as to why such a young, beautiful life can be cut so short. Kaileigh was a light for so many.”

Deputies and Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters responded just after 8 p.m. to the Willamette River near the Hawthorne Bridge for a report that someone was unconscious in the water, sheriff’s office spokesman Deputy John Plock said in an email Tuesday.

“The caller reported that they had witnessed a woman falling off a boat and was struck by another boat,” he said.

Seidel was taken to OHSU Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Plock said the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.