Update (02/14/17 3:05 p.m.) – A body found on Horsfall Beach on Saturday has been identified as 31-year-old Jayson Thomas, according to a report by the Oregonian. Thomas’ son has not yet been found.
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Update (01/16/17) — The search for a father and his 3 year old son who were swept out to sea has been suspended, and police are saying the effort has turned from a rescue to a recovery.
“The high seas along with the water temperatures,” Captain Bill Fugate of Oregon State Police says, “It’s pretty doubtful that anybody even in survival gear could survive that long in the water, so at this point now it’s just an attempt to locate them in a recovery fashion.”
Crews were called to Boice Cope County Park beach Sunday afternoon, that’s about 4 miles north of Cape Blanco.
The Coast Guard, Oregon State Police, and local sheriff’s and fire departments responded, searching for over 22 hours and covering nearly 600 miles. Officials are reminding people tonight, the ocean can be dangerous no matter the season.
“In the Pacific Northwest the waters are actually cold enough for cold water shock and danger all throughout the year,” Petty Officer Amanda Norcross says.
“The Oregon coast is a very dangerous place and it’s just a very sad reminder that it’s powerful and it’s dangerous as beautiful as it is,” Capt. Fugate adds.
All that was found in their search is a child’s carrier and the jacket of the father. He’s been identified as 31-year-old Jayson Thomas of Eugene.
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Police have identified the man who was swept away into the ocean along with this 3-year-old son as 31-year-old Jayson Dean Thomas of Elmira, Oregon. The name of the 3-year-old will not be released unless there is consent by the family.
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the pair at around 11:51 a.m. Monday.
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Curry Co., Ore. — Search crews are looking for a man and toddler who were swept out to sea in Curry county on Sunday. The U.S. Coast Guard and Oregon State Police were called out to the beach near Floras Lake around 1 PM.
A 31-year old Eugene man and his three year old son had reportedly been swept out to sea when the water was particularly rough.
The U.S. Coast Guard brought in a helicopter to search for the two, and ground crews walked and rode ATV’s down the beach.
Their names have not yet been released. The search was expected to continue late into Sunday evening.
OSP was assisted by the US Coast Guard, Curry County Sheriff’s Office, Sixes River Fire, and Port Orford Fire. More information will be released tomorrow as it becomes available.
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