Two Rescues at Different Areas of Oregon Coast: Cannon Beach, Depoe Bay

Published 04/27/26 at 7:55 a.m. - Updated 3:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Depoe Bay, Oregon) – [UPDATED WITH FULL STORY ON CANNON BEACH INCIDENTS - AND CORRECTION: NO MISSING SURFER HAS BEEN FOUND] -- All day along the central Oregon coast, amid the hubbub of those following orcas up the shoreline, this operation just south of Depoe Bay was the other talk of the internet. A large cluster of emergency vehicles had gathered at Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint and a lot was going on. The activity included the US Coast Guard. (All photos Depoe Bay Fire District)

Up the coast, in Cannon Beach, crowds had gathered to watch a vehicle get towed out of the surf – with varying degrees of success - after it attempted to rescue a surfer in distress.

As of Monday morning, no surfer was ever found.

A previous version of an Oregon Coast Beach Connection story that indicated the surfer walked out on his own is not correct. No surfer was found and searches suspended.

It turns out, according to Depoe Bay Fire District, crews responded around 9:15 a.m. Saturday to Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint after a man in his 20s slipped on the rocks and fell, injuring his lower legs.

“Depoe Bay firefighters arrived, assessed and stabilized the patient, and determined the safest extraction method was a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hoist,” the District said.

The Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team was requested as a backup.

When the Coast Guard aircraft arrived, the crew hoisted the patient aboard and then landed at the park to transfer him to fire and medical personnel. He was taken to a Lincoln County hospital in stable condition.

Oregon coast agencies assisting included Newport Fire Department, the Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team, Oregon State Police, ODOT, Oregon State Parks, Pacific West Ambulance, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Officials noted that the rocky coastline here is a hazardous one, urging visitors to plan ahead, let others know their itinerary, and use extreme caution.

“Depoe Bay Fire District has responded to three other falls along the rocky coastline this weekend and urges the public to use care near cliffs and shorelines,” the agency said.

The Depoe Bay area is one of the more jagged, rocky areas of the coastline, with about five miles of such drops and oceanside cliffs from Lincoln Beach to Otter Rock near Newport. Those areas that are accessible all have sheer drops in one area or another, or abrupt edges where falling into the ocean is easy.

In Cannon Beach, various videos and photos all of Saturday showed a vehicle stranded in the surf at Ecola Creek. It began with a rescue of a surfer gone missing - who has not been found.

UPDATE: Cannon Beach Fire and Rescue released the following roundup of the entire incident:

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, at approximately 4:30 PM, Cannon Beach Fire District personnel were conducting routine patrols near Chapman Point when they observed a surfer in distress caught in a rip current. The individual appeared to be struggling to return to shore and was believed to be in immediate danger.

Cannon Beach Fire District personnel quickly initiated a water rescue response. 9-1-1 Dispatch was notified, and additional emergency vehicles were deployed to the scene. Due to the challenging terrain and tidal conditions, accessing the area required specialized equipment and coordination.

As crews attempted to reach the location, they were required to cross Ecola Creek, which had been significantly altered by recent storms and erosion. While crossing a previously stable section of the creek, one of the district’s command vehicles became stuck in a deep, soft-sand depression that had formed beneath the water’s surface. Despite multiple attempts, the vehicle could not be freed using on-scene resources.

Recognizing the need for additional assistance, Cannon Beach Fire District requested support from Sons of Beaches 4x4, a local volunteer off-road recovery group with experience in challenging coastal terrain. Sons of Beaches 4x4 responded promptly and successfully recovered the stuck vehicle from Ecola Creek.

Throughout the incident, Cannon Beach Fire District personnel continued to monitor the surfer’s condition and coordinate with other responding agencies. The Cannon Beach Ocean Safety Division deployed lifeguards and rescue watercraft to the area, while the United States Coast Guard launched both a helicopter and a cutter to assist in the search and rescue efforts. The Cannon Beach Police Department also responded to provide traffic control and scene support.

Due to rapidly changing tidal conditions and the dynamic nature of the surf zone, visibility of the surfer was intermittent, and at times, the individual could not be seen from shore. Rescuers used all available resources, including visual surveillance, watercraft, and aerial support, in an effort to locate and assist the surfer.

After an extensive coordinated search of the area, no missing surfer or person in distress was located. The search was turned over to the USCG and subsequently suspended after all available information and search efforts yielded no confirmed victim.

Cannon Beach Fire District extends its sincere gratitude to Sons of Beaches 4x4, as well as the Cannon Beach Police Department, and the United States Coast Guard for their immediate assistance and coordinated support during yesterday’s incident.

The agency said it would like to thank the members of the community who reached out with messages of concern for the safety of personnel.

"Emergency response operations often require rapid decision-making in dynamic and hazardous environments. Our personnel routinely operate in unpredictable and high-risk conditions in service to public safety and the protection of life. While public attention may at times focus on isolated moments during an incident, our priority remains and always will remain the safety of the public, the safety of our responders, and the preservation of life.

Cannon Beach Fire District remains committed to serving this community with professionalism, urgency, and dedication in the most challenging conditions."

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Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours

 

 

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