Wave sweeps dad holding two kids to sea, Oregon rescuers say. He’s the lone survivor

A strong wave swept a father holding his two children out to sea Saturday from Falcon Cove near Cannon Beach in Oregon, Willamette Week reports.

Rescuers pulled the father and his 7-year-old daughter from the Pacific Ocean at 12:30 p.m, but the girl later died, KATU reported. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended a search for her 4-year-old brother Saturday night.

“We’ve exhausted our resources,” said Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier, The Oregonian reported. “We’re obviously hoping for the best, but at this point it’s very challenging.”

Oregon State Police found the man struggling to make it back to shore, with the girl farther out in the ocean, KPTV reported.

A Manzanita Police Department officer dove into the surf to rescue the girl, KATU reported. A helicopter helped search for the boy, but Coast Guard vessels couldn’t assist because of rough seas.

The father and daughter were unresponsive after being pulled from the ocean, but the father is expected to survive, KPTV reported.

Oregon State Police identified him as a 47-year-old Portland man.

A National Weather Service warning forecast high tides and rough surf along the Oregon coast this weekend, with waves up to 25 feet high expected, The Oregonian reported.

The agency advised people to avoid beaches and jetties.

Sneaker waves, which can roll logs on beaches, also are a danger, KATU reported.

This story was originally published January 12, 2020 at 9:21 AM with the headline "Wave sweeps dad holding two kids to sea, Oregon rescuers say. He’s the lone survivor."