Two Juveniles Rescued From The Ocean

At 12:43pm on June 14th, 2022, crews were dispatched to Governor Patterson State Park in Waldport for a report of two juveniles struggling in the surf. Upon arrival initial crews located one of the victims very quickly and Deputy Akin from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office headed into the surf with a tag line being held onto by Lieutenant Shi Bucher of Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue.

While the first victim was being treated, the search for the second victim continued. A few moments later the second victim was located and LT. Bucher headed into the surf to rescue him via a tag line held onto by Mo Larmi with Yachats Fire & Rescue. Life Flight was launched and landed on the beach as a precautionary measure but neither victim were taken. Both juveniles were ground transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital via Pacific West Ambulance.

3 Firefighters, 1 EMT and 1 Paramedic from Yachats Rural Fire Protection District , 5 Firefighters, 1 Recruit, Duty Officer, and the Fire Chief from Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue, 1 firefighter from Seal Rock Fire District , 3 Deputies from Lincoln County Sheriff's Office - Oregon , Trooper from the Oregon State Police and 2 Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay ground crew responded to the incident.

Thanks to the rapid response and quick thinking of Deputy Akin, LT. Shi Bucher & Mo Larmi as well as all the responding agencies and personnel coupled with an incoming tide, the juveniles are expected to fully recover which is an outcome that could have been drastically different. Central Coast Fire and Rescue reminds everyone that the ocean can be very dangerous. Caution should always be used and never turn your back to the ocean while visiting the vast and beautiful beaches of the Oregon coastline.