Man Dies in Surfing-Related Incident off Yaquina Head at Newport

The surfer and two friends were overwhelmed by large waves.

File photo by: Tim King

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - A surfer died Tuesday afternoon after being overcome by large waves while surfing with two friends at Yaquina Head on the north end of Newport.

The victim died after being transported to Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport. The name of the 26-year male surfer and two friends will not be released until after his parents are notified following their return Wednesday from an out-of-country trip.

The victim and two male friends, ages 33 and 25, were surfing Tuesday afternoon in heavy wave conditions off Yaquina Head in Lincoln County. To surfers in Oregon, this is a spot referred to as Agate Beach. It is at the north end of Newport.

The group was reportedly overcome by a series of large waves and the victim became unresponsive. One friend remained with the victim while the other began to return to shore about the time a citizen watching the situation unfold from the shore called 9-1-1 at about 4:22 PM.

While waiting for help, the one friend trying to remain with the victim had to begin to return to shore because of the conditions.

United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Newport Fire & Rescue personnel responded to the 9-1-1 call. USCG personnel reportedly brought the victim to shore where Newport Fire & Rescue personnel began CPR efforts which continued as he was taken by USCG helicopter to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital.

Upon arrival, Newport Fire & Rescue personnel and hospital medical staff continued their attempts to revive the victim but he was pronounced deceased at 6:17 PM.

The other two surfers were not injured.

As noted above, names will not be released until the victim's parents have been notified upon their return to Oregon on Wednesday.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Newport Area Command office are completing the investigation. No additional details are available for release.