Oregon’s Lost Boy Beach rescue: 3 tourists trapped by a fast-rising tide spelled SOS in driftwood.
It was a high-risk rescue.
Three tourists engaged in a beach-side photo op on Lost Boy Beach just north of Oceanside had become trapped by a fast-rising ocean tide last week.
One of the tourists used a satellite device to call 911.
Netarts-Oceanside Fire District Chief Jeff McBrayer said his agency sent its drone skyward and in minutes the trapped tourists, all in their 20s, had been located.
The arriving rescue team found the tourists had spelled out SOS on the beach using some driftwood.
The isolated beach and pounding surf made for a dangerous rescue, as falling temperatures and gusting winds raised fears of hypothermia.
“That team made their way to a rock face, and we had to wait a little while, about 40 minutes, for the wave action to recede, because we were having large waves that afternoon,” McBrayer said. “Once our team was able to safely make it around the rock face, we tethered those folks with life vests and got them back to safety.”
Officials say viral posts are luring visitors but warn conditions can change in minutes.
They say visitors and locals alike need to pay close attention to the tides.
