OSO, Wash. — Families of Oso slide victims are preparing to sue a man who is taking people on river rafting tours through the slide zone.
David Button initially delayed plans to take people down the Stillaguamish, after some backlash in March. However, this past weekend, he took a group of three through the slide area for $45 each. Seventy more people have already signed up for the trip.
“We fully understand people’s feelings, but it’s not a sacred area. It's not a graveyard,” Button said.
The guide said the river cannot be kept closed forever, and he is setting aside the profits for the families of victimsm though Button admits, “Most of the people that have called me call it blood money. They don’t want anything to do with it. So we’re setting aside a fund for maybe a student fund, or one of the kids, someone that’ll benefit from the money.”
Karen Willie represents families of several of the slide victims. She said they already sent Button a legal letter demanding he not go through with the tour. Now her clients are ready to go to court.
“He has more than a clue as to how people feel about this,” Willie said.
The attorney said Button advertising that he is giving the money to victims who will not accept it is fraud. She also said the slide moved the river on the property of a slide victim, and rafting without the estate’s permission is trespassing.