On February 5, 2011 two strong young men, Jack Harnsongkram and Connor Ausland, drowned when a sneaker wave, that was no more than thigh-high, hit them knocking them both off a land-bridge, into a narrow coastal chasm. They were trapped in rough freezing water that made their escape or rescue by their friends, despite doing everything they could, impossible.
Since this tragedy, the parents of Jack and Connor have been working in cooperation with Oregon Parks and Recreation (OPRD) and the Coastal Safety Marker Committee to create an educational coastal marker along the heavily used 804 trail (see images). Their goal is to heighten visitors’ awareness of the dangers along the coast.
We are working to create this marker so visitors can enjoy the Oregon coast but be safe. Telling this story will inspire people and give them permission to speak up to strangers to prevent this from happening again. We also hope those taking risks at the coast will listen.
To find out more about the proposed location, design, planning committee and how to help, click on one of the Categories in the column on the upper left side of this page.
NEWS
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On Wednesday, February 9, 2012, the Yachats City Council approved the coastal safety marker. The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners had previously approved the safety marker in the location proposed by the Coastal Safety Marker Group. Click here for more news (downloads PDF of article in South Lincoln County newspaper).
The first phase fundraising target is $20,000. The group has raised almost $6,000. (Click on "Make a Contribution" to donate.)
