A freak accident claimed the life of a 14-year-old teenager at a beach in Bandon, Oregon.
According to Oregon Live, Aurora Genai Sheffel was taking photos with friends on a log near the water in Bandon, Ore., to kick off spring break. When the tide receded, it dragged the heavy log out from under them. Her two friends jumped off the log, but Sheffel became pinned under it, according to the teen’s stepfather, David Wederquist.
Sheffel’s mother, Cora Sheffel Wederquist, said:
“She turned her head and it happened. I spoke to her friend that tried to help her. A 14-year-old girl tried to move that log herself, but more water came and rolled it on my daughter. She said it was so quick and that Aurora felt no pain.”
Madisyn Leidall, Sheffel’s friend who was at the beach, told KEZI that the two girls on the log were posing to make a heart shape when the wave came in, causing the log to roll over Sheffel’s legs and pin her down.
Leidall explained, “We tried to get her out. We were screaming when bystanders came and tried to help us move the log. But the log had rolled again. Doctors said she died instantly because the damage to her head and neck were so traumatic.”
Emergency crews arrived around 4 p.m. at the South Jetty Park beach, where they learned the victim was playing on the log during a heavy receding tide. Witnesses said the log had rolled on top of the teen. After several attempts, rescuers were able to free her, but after being rushed to the hospital she was pronounced dead.
According to Oregon State Police, the ocean can be strong enough to pick up even very large logs, and they can soak up enough water to weigh tons.
Sheffel’s stepfather said she was a freshman who earned straight A’s and was recently selected for North Eugene High School’s varsity cheerleading squad.
The squad posted an emotional tribute on Facebook, saying, “You couldn’t help but smile when you were around her. She was a great big sister and she loved loved loved her little ones.”
Friends created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Sheffel’s funeral expenses.
“Everyone loved Aurora and she was a bright and beautiful soul who brought joy to everyone she met,” the GoFundMe page says.
In the wake of Sheffel‘s death police warned that the “ocean is strong enough to pick up even the biggest log and roll it down on top of you. Some logs may look small, but even the tiny ones can be waterlogged and weigh tons.”
Watch the video below for more details:
Sources: OpposingViews, KEZI, Bandon Western World, Oregon Live
