Otter Rock – Surfer in trouble off Devil’s Punchbowl – Coast Guard Helo enroute
Coast Guard rescuers getting ready to save more lives.
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1:48pm
A surfer has been swept up in an outbound riptide just south of Devil’s Punchbowl. The surfer is wearing a blue wetsuit and he’s on a green surfboard.
1:50pm
The Coast Guard is launching a helo. Should be on scene in just as few minutes.
1:51pm
Coast Guard helo says they’re five minutes away.
1:54pm
Coast Guard on scene. Two other surfers that went out to rescue the first one are now in trouble.
2:25pm
Two surfers have been hoisted aboard the Coast Guard helo enroute to Newport. The third surfer says he can make it back in on his own power. Fire-rescuers are on the beach monitoring the guy’s progress getting back to shore.
2:35pm
Coast Guard requests medics to meet them at the Coast Guard airbase at Newport Airport.
3:01pm
The third surfer couldn’t fight the rip headed seaward, asks for help. Coast Guard helo swoops in and rescues the third surfer. Now there are three unmanned surfboards in the water; green, orange, and white in color.
3:14pm
All three surfers have refused transport to the hospital.
Coast Guard off Devils Punchbowl
Gary Olson photo
All three surfers were eventually airlifted out, leaving their surfboards behind.
Gary Olson photo
