‘Don’t challenge the ocean’: Coast Guard makes dramatic rescue at Ecola State Park

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A dramatic rescue at Ecola State Park was captured on video as the US Coast Guard saved one person who became stuck on the rocks as the Pacific Ocean pummeled them every few seconds.

The incident happened on Saturday, Nanuette Lundeen told KOIN 6 News. It is not clear at this time how the person became stranded on the rocks, but a Coast Guard helicopter arrived to help.

As Lundeen took the video, a rescuer tethered to a rope descended onto the rocks as the waves pounded. Within a minute, the rescuer had attached the stranded person to the tether and both were hoisted into the hovering helicopter.

Lundeen said the ocean at that moment was “strong and dangerous,” and noted the rescued person appears safe. “Don’t challenge the ocean like this,” she said.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to the US Coast Guard for more information and have not yet heard back.

Just a week ago, an Air Station Astoria aircrew medevacked a person from a cruise ship 160 miles off the coast of Oregon who was experiencing a medical emergency. The person was taken to OHSU.

The Coast Guard made a similar dramatic rescue at Ecola State Park on New Year’s Day after a puppy fell down a cliff in Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach.

In that rescue, a Coast Guard aircrew flew down from Astoria to the state park to help. A rescue swimmer was sent out and officials said they helped put the dog into a hoisting basket so it could be lifted back up.

The dog was fine and reunited with its family.

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