9-Year Old Girl Dies in Lincoln City When Sand Collapses

The child was buried by the sand for about five minutes.

North Lincoln Fire & Rescue District No. 1 rushed the child to the hospital. Photo: Jeremy Ruark (son of Henry J. Ruark, RIP)

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - A 9-year-old girl who was pulled from the sand after it apparently collapsed on her Friday has died, according to the North Lincoln Fire & Rescue District No. 1.

Jim Kusz, with the fire district, said the girl died at the hospital.

Police officers helped get the girl out of a hole that she was buried in, according to Lt. Jerry Palmer, of the Lincoln City Police Department. He said when they got to her she was unconscious and not breathing.

According to KATU, when fire crews arrived on the scene, they saw people frantically digging in the sand to get the girl out, but the sand kept falling back into the hole. Kusz said it is believed the girl was buried for about five minutes.

The tragic incident happened behind the Seagull Motel near the popular 15th Street Beach access ramp just after 5 p.m.

The child was taken to the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital where efforts to save her were unsuccessful.

Palmer said the girl and her family were visiting Lincoln City. The girl's name won't be released until other family members are notified, he said.