Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read, ©USCG (archive)
NEWPORT, Ore. -- A Coast Guard aircrew rescued an unconscious surfer at Devil’s Punchbowl State Park, Saturday evening.
A Coast Guard Air Facility Newport aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter located the subject, deployed a rescue swimmer and with assistance from a local surfer, brought the unconscious subject back to the beach on a surfboard.
Coast Guard Sector North Bend Command Center watchstanders received a report of a surfer in distress at 3:32 p.m. The reporting party stated that the surfer had become separated from his surfboard, was trying to swim to shore but was continually battered by heavy waves.
Initially, a Depoe Bay Fire Department crew arrived on scene and saw the surfer reportedly floating on his back.
Sector personnel launched the helicopter crew and two 47-foot Motor Life Boat crews from Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay.
The aircrew arrived on scene at 4:14 p.m., located the subject and deployed the rescue swimmer, who had help from another surfer in transporting the individual to shore.
The helicopter crew landed the aircraft on the beach and embarked the unconscious surfer along with two Emergency Medical Service personnel. The crew transported the surfer to Newport Hospital.
The status of the surfer is unknown at this time.
-USCG-