Beachgoers Swept Into The Ocean Keep Rescuers Busy

(Lincoln Beach) - Water rescue operations were in full swing Wednesday on the central Oregon coast. A major storm slammed the coast with fury. Depoe Bay Fire District Chief Ron Smith says it was not a good day for a walk on the beach, "There are very rough conditions today, about twenty to twenty five foot surf." He says beachgoers should stay clear on days like this.

Around 10:00 AM, people walking on the beach were caught by sneaker waves and rip currents, pulled against their will into an unforgiving ocean. In one case, Smith says a Salem teenager was swept onto the rocks by a wave, suffering a broken wrist and other injuries.

"We sent him to the hospital with a broken right hand and various other cuts and bruises."

Then a mom and her two-year old boy, along with the boy's father, were struck by a huge, fast-moving wave. "Basically knocked down by a sneaker wave and pulled out into the surf."

The Depoe Bay Coast Guard and Fire Rescue teams worked the area between Lincoln City and Lincoln Beach for most of the morning. After safely locating the missing family, they learned that yet another person may have been swept out by a sneaker wave.

"We got the mother and father and son out of the water. Made contact with the caller at the Sea and Sand, who says, “No, it is a separate incident,` it is a forty-year old female with a red sweater, blue jeans and hiking boots."

Smith says a land obstruction had prevented the caller from clearly seeing what happened to the woman. "It's very difficult to go and look for something, unknowing if they're out there. And as you can see from the surf, it's not a forgiving surf today.

Still, the rescuers stay on task, knowing that time is of the essence if a person in the water is located.

Bob Hart of Lincoln City earned a lesson the hard way Wednesday. "Yeah, I was picking up rocks and a sneaker wave got me, caught me about the chest and knocked me down."

Fortunately, he was able to hang on, and avoid being dragged back into the ocean. The rescuers know that is usually not the case.

"They need to stay up on high ground and enjoy the beauty of the coast, not walk on the beach, because a wave will come up and knock you down."

Chief Ron Smith says another problem on the rise stems from inexperienced surfers paddling out into conditions that they are not ready for. He reminds our viewers that the Oregon surfers often featured riding big waves along the coast are extremely experienced, and you have to be in waters that have so many potential hazards.

Beachgoers are encouraged to follow posted signs warning them of dangerous surf conditions. Sometimes large surf completely covers beaches in Oregon, even crossing the coast highway on more than one occasion. The rescuers say a person is no match for it.