Names Released in Fatal Surfing Incident at Newport

The man's two friends were not injured.

Photo courtesy: home.8j.net

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - A southern Oregon area man 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 a Newport-area hospital and is identified as 26-year old Luther Lloyd Johnston of Wolf Creek. The two friends with Johnston are identified as 25-year old Neil Ryan Deatheridge of Eugene, and 33-year old David Leon Bower of Glendale, Oregon. Rescue personnel say that on the afternoon of March 27th, the three men were surfing in heavy wave conditions off Yaquina Head in Lincoln County when they were reportedly overcome by a series of large waves and Johnston 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 Johnston 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 Johnston but he was pronounced deceased at 6:17 PM. Deatheridge and Bower were not injured. Next of kin have been notified upon their return to Oregon on Wednesday from a trip. Oregon State Police troopers from the Newport Area Command office are completing the investigation.