PORTLAND, Ore. — A man is presumed dead after attempting to rescue a struggling swimmer in the mouth of the Yachats River on the central Oregon Coast over the weekend.
Around 4:39 p.m. on Sunday, multiple fire districts responded to reports of a woman struggling to get back to shore at the south end of the Yachats State Recreation Area. They learned that a man had entered the water in attempt to help the woman.
Shortly after arriving, Yachats Fire, with assistance from a bystander, were able to rescue the woman struggling and another woman by lifting them onto the rocks. Both were wearing lifejackets, Yachats Fire said.
During the rescue, crews had "intermittent" visual contact with "something" in the water. But, it was too far away from shore to positively identify, Yachats Fire said.
A female bystander attempted to make a rescue and entered the water, despite "firefighters ordering her to refrain from doing so." After swimming against the current for some time, the woman was able to make back to shore, with assistance from crew members, who deployed a rope throw bag that she could grab ahold of.
Oregon State Police later arrested the woman, Yachats Fire said.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, ground crew, and two lifeboats responded to assist with the search. Around 6:35 p.m., fire crews from Yachats, Central Coast and Seal Rock left the scene, with the U.S. Coast Guard now continuing the search.
