Teen's arm severed in surfing accident
By KATU Web StaffPACIFIC CITY, Ore. - A 14-year-old boy's arm was severed in a surfing accident along the Oregon coast on Sunday. The incident happened just before 10 a.m. off Cape Kiwanda Beach in Pacific City. According to Tillamook County Sheriff Todd Anderson, the teen, identified as Cole Ortega of Bend, was surfing and was struck by a dory boat, which is a small boat with pointed ends and high, flaring sides. The collision occurred about 100 yards off shore. Senior OSP Trooper Doug Shugart was on duty in the area when he saw a dory boat preparing to come to shore and then heard that the boat had struck a surfer. Other surfers brought the injured teen to shore and Shugart began providing emergency medical care. An emergency room physician happened to be walking on the beach nearby and helped stabilize Ortega while they waited for an ambulance to arrive. Ortega was first taken to Tillamook General Hospital and was then flown to Portland where surgeons at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center were planning to try to reattach his arm, which a surfer found and brought to shore. Ortega had been surfing with his 16-year-old sister and her boyfriend. Other members of his family were there as well. Due to the high surf, numerous surfers in the water and dory boats present, the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office and OSP troopers asked all of the surfers to exit the water so the boats could get back to shore safely. The Tillamook County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol is conducting an investigation. |
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October 7, 2008
- Eugene, Oregon
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