Teen surfer's arm cut off by boat
File photo of Cape Kiwanda beach, a popular spot for both surfers and Dory boats. By KVAL Web StaffPACIFIC CITY, Ore. -- A boat collision severed the arm of a Bend teen surfing at Cape Kiwanda, according to Oregon State Police and the Tillamook County sheriff. Cape Kiwanda is home to a large Dory fishing fleet and is also a popular surfing location. On Sunday, the ocean was fairly rough with swells greater than 9 feet, which provides great surfing but poor visibility to Dory boats coming to shore. Senior Trooper Doug Shugart saw a Dory boat preparing to come to shore, then heard from citizens that the boat had struck a surfer. He located the injured surfer, bleeding from a left arm amputation, who was aided to shore by other surfers. The limb was recovered by a surfer. Shugart began providing emergency medical care for the 14-year-old victim, Cole Ortega of Bend. The operator of the Dory boat was identified as Darrel Martin, 55, of Beaver, Ore. Shugart located an emergency room physician who was walking on the beach nearby. Shugart transported the victim in his patrol vehicle to the main parking lot of Cape Kiwanda while the emergency room doctor provided care to Ortega. Ortega was transferred to a Tillamook County Ambulance and was subsequently transported to the Tillamook County General Hospital. Ortega had been surfing with his 16-year old sister and her boyfriend. Other members of his family were on scene. Due to high surf, numerous surfers and Dorys on the water, deputies from the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office and troopers from OSP requested that all surfers exit the water so Dorys could come to shore safely. Investigation revealed that there could be a possibility of additional surfers struck by vessels coming to shore during this high surf. The Tillamook County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol is conducting the investigation into the boating incident. |
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