Photos by Carol Keljo and Jay Pittman
On Saturday April 25, 2026, Cannon Beach Fire District personnel were conducting a beach patrol near Chapman Point when they observed a surfer in distress in a rip current. Fire personnel watched the individual being carried north around Chapman Point and out of sight by the current.
Cannon Beach Fire District immediately notifed 911 dispatch and initiated a water rescue response for a reported missing surer in the water off Chapman Point.
Two other emergency response vehicles were dispatched and responding to Chapman Point. The second emergency vehicle successfully crosse decola Creek without issue while enroute to access Chapman Beach. The Fire District command vehicle was the third vehicle in the response sequence to make the crossing.
While attempting to cross Ecola Creek, the command vehicle became lodged in an unseen depression in the creek bed, causing the vehicle to become stuck in the water. This crossing route has been utlized during emergency operations for years due to compromised emergency vehicle access at Les Shirley Park. This year, that access point was hbeen significantly impacted by winter storm erosion, making it difficult and unsafe for emergency vehicles.
At the time of the crossing, tidal conditions were rapidly changing, and an incoming tide caused water levels to rise approximately four to five feet within a short period, further complicating vehicle recovery efforts.
Due to the hazardous conditions and the urgency of the ongoing rescue response, Cannon Beach Fire District requested assistance from Clatsop County Sons of Beaches 4×4 to safely recover the vehicle. Their support was instrumental in resolving the situation quickly and safely.
Simultaneously, Cannon Beach Ocean Safety Division deployed a lifeguard and two Rescue Watercraft (RWC) to teh Chapman Point area and began an immediate search for the reported missing surfer. The search effort included coordinated support from the United States Coast Guard, which comprised of a helicopter and cutter response; as well as aerial drone support form the Cannon Beach Police Department.
After an extensive coordinated search of the area, no missing surfer or person in distress was located. The search was turned over to the USCG and subsequently suspended after all available information and search efforts yielded no confirmed victim.
Cannon Beach Fire Department extends its sincere gratitude to Sons of Beaches 4×4, as well as the Cannon Beach Police Department, and the United States Coast Guard for their immediate assitance and coordinated support during uyesterday’s incident.
We also would like to thanks the members of our community who reached out with messages of concern for the safety of our personnel.
Emergency response operations often require rapdi decision-making in dynamic and hazardous environments. Our personnel routinely operate in unpredictable and high-rish conditions in service to public safety and teh protection of life. While public attention may at times focus on isolated moments during an incident, our priority remains and always will remain the safety of the public, the safety of our responders, and teh preservation of life.
Cannon Beach Fire District remains committed to serving this community with professionalism, urgency, and dedication in the most challenging conditions.