Two Eugene Teens Drown in Pacific Ocean Near Yachats

A sad weekend as vacation turns to tragedy.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Two Eugene-area teenagers died Saturday afternoon in the Yachats area when they were swept off a rocky outcropping into the Pacific Ocean and drowned. The names of the two victims was withheld until next of kin notifications was completed.

The body of 18-year old Connor Gregory Ausland, from Eugene, was recovered Saturday. The location of the body of 17-year old Jack Harnsongkram, also from Eugene, was not successful despite attempts by responding agencies until Sunday morning.

Police say that at about 7:00 a.m. Sunday, a local Yachats citizen who was aware of Saturday's tragic drownings was checking the shoreline near where the second teen was missing and spotted his body on the rocks. Yachats Fire Department personnel responded and recovered the body before it was washed back into the ocean. The boy's family were staying in the area and notified.

Both victims were students at South Eugene High School visiting the area with several fellow students and adults.

OSP Sergeant Justin McGladrey said that on February 5, 2011 at about 12:40 p.m. OSP Northern Command Center dispatch was notified by Lincoln County 9-1-1 that a group of teenagers were on a rocky outcropping near Adobe Resort on the south end of Smelt Sands State Park when two of them were swept into the ocean.

Their friends were not able to help them and both subsequently drowned.

OSP has been working with the victims' families and school administrators to keep them updated on the investigation and recovery effort. School administrators and staff will be helping students and their families during this difficult time.