CANNON BEACH, Ore. — A body discovered in the tideline at Tolovana Park early Sunday morning is believed to be that of a high school student who went missing on May 12 while wading in knee-deep water at the Oregon coast, according to the Cannon Beach Police Department.
In a statement on May 14, the Beaverton School District identified the missing student as Jacob Stokes. He was a senior at Mountainside High School and was set to attend Oregon State University in the fall.
"Jacob was a friend to many. He was kind and thoughtful," school officials said in the statement. "Friends and teachers describe him as focused yet easygoing and just a super nice person. Jacob was part of the Mountainside cross country and track team, participating in the 100-meter and javelin events. In his last race in the 100, he recorded a personal best.
"Our hearts break for Jacob’s family, his close friends, and our entire community at this time of deep sadness and grief," the district said.
Stokes went missing after running into trouble while wading in knee-deep water near Cannon Beach on May 12. The Cannon Beach Fire District and Seaside Fire's Surf Rescue Team said Stokes was swept out from strong rip currents that were in the area.
At around 4 p.m., the Cannon Beach Fire District and Seaside Fire's Surf Rescue Team responded to a report of a group of four people who had been wading in the water who were no longer visible from the shore, just south of Tolovana Beach. It was confirmed that all four were students with the Beaverton School District, according to Shellie Bailey-Shah, a district spokesperson.
Police arrived shortly after and found that two of the students made it out on their own and two were still in the water. A rescue swimmer went in to find the other two and brought one student to shore. That student was transported to a nearby hospital. Officials did not release the condition of the rescued student.
Rescue teams were unsuccessful locating the fourth student, Stokes. The Coast Guard continued the search until late into the night on May 12. Cannon Beach Fire continue the search the next day.
The school district made counselors available for students as they learned the news.
"We understand that news like this can bring up emotions for people who have suffered loss in the past," the district said. "Students may find it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or they may find focusing on school is a needed distraction. Either is okay."
Cannon Beach Fire District and Seaside Fire's Surf Rescue Team remind everyone that the ocean currents are unpredictable and can take a person out. Current water temperatures are still frigid and people need to be careful when they're in or near the water.
The families of the four students released the following statement on May 16:
We want to make clear the activities that our sons were engaged in on Friday afternoon. We feel an important clarification needs to be made. The term "swimming" implies a different activity than what our sons were doing on Friday. These young men were enjoying the shoreline, wading in the water and enjoying the waves crashing around their knees.
The tragedy that befell them involved a terrible and subtle danger that was the combination of waves hitting while they were unknowingly close to a shelf and a rip tide forming. While two of them were able to get out of the water, two were swept out.
We are appreciative of the kind words from Cannon Beach community members who were present on Friday and echoed this, as well. One member from Cannon Beach Fire and Rescue also pointed out the low tide being so far out that day and the inherent danger that created.
We ask that your reporting be updated to reflect this information — that our sons were wading in the water, not swimming. This distinction is not only important to us but to others as a critical safety warning. Thank you for your consideration.
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Correction: An earlier version of this article reported that the students were swimming. They were not swimming but wading in knee-deep water.
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