CCSO release – On May 31st at about 08:01 P.M. the Coos County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an accident at Norton Gulch off of Cape Arago Hwy. The report stated a male subject was climbing on the rocks when he slipped and fell, striking his head. Witness stated the male subject was observed in and out of consciousness floating in the ocean. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office arrived and contacted witness who stated they lost sight of the male prior to Sheriff’s Office arrival. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified as well as units from Charleston, North Bend, and Coos Bay Fire Departments. The U.S. Coast Guard searched the area with helicopter, but was not successful. A Coast Guard ship continued the search throughout the night. The Coast Guard helicopter, Coos County Sheriff’s Office and Coos County Search and Rescue will resume search operations on the morning of June 1st to continue to try to locate the male subject.
Missing Person
CCSO release – On May 31st at about 08:01 P.M. the Coos County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an accident at Norton Gulch off of Cape Arago Hwy. The report stated a male subject was climbing on the rocks when he slipped and fell, striking his head. Witness stated the male subject was observed in and out of consciousness floating in the ocean. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office arrived and contacted witness who stated they lost sight of the male prior to Sheriff’s Office arrival. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified as well as units from Charleston, North Bend, and Coos Bay Fire Departments. The U.S. Coast Guard searched the area with helicopter, but was not successful. A Coast Guard ship continued the search throughout the night. As Search and Rescue, and Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived at Norton Gulch in the morning, a Coast Guard helicopter and boat were already searching the area. There were also family and friends that had been out searching the area since the initial call was made. With the assistance of the Oregon State Parks department, an Incident Command was set up at the Norton Gulch day use area. During the initial investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies the missing person was identified as 17 year old Ian Spaulding of North Bend, Oregon. Throughout the day, over 100 volunteers assisted with the search effort. Friends, family, community member volunteers, along with members of the Charleston Fire Department, Coast Guard command, and the Bandon Fire Department Dive team were involved. Coast Guard resources searched the area from Sunset Beach State Park to Bandon using both helicopter and boat. Also, a privately owned unidentified airplane searched the area as well. Search and Rescue members, Sheriff’s Office personnel, and volunteers searched the surrounding trails and shoreline from Sunset Beach to the Cape Arago State park located at the end of Cape Arago Highway. The Dive team, with the assistance of a Coast Guard helicopter was taken to the area Ian was last seen by witnesses. Unfortunately, due to strong currents and less than two feet of visibility in the water, the dive search was called off. After meeting with Coast Guard command, and taking into account the large search effort and number of searchers, the search for Ian was suspended by the Sheriff’s Office this afternoon. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the United States Coast Guard, the Charleston Fire Department, the Bandon Fire Department Dive Team, Oregon State Parks, and the numerous volunteers for their assistance during the search.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ian Spaulding.
