The parents of 18-year-old Jacob Stokes, who presumably drowned in the Pacific Ocean Friday, and the Cannon Beach Search and Rescue crew clarified that the young man and his friends had been wading in knee-deep water, not swimming in the ocean.
Stokes’ parents and those of his three classmates — all students at Mountainside High School in Beaverton — shared a statement via the Beaverton school district Tuesday. They said in the statement that they wanted to clarify the nature of their sons’ actions — and the dangers associated with them.
“The tragedy that befell them involved a terrible and subtle danger that was the combination of waves hitting while they were unknowingly close to a shelf and a rip tide forming. While two of them were able to get out of the water, two were swept out,” the parents said in their statement. “We are appreciative of the kind words from Cannon Beach community members who were present on Friday and echoed this, as well. One member from Cannon Beach Fire and Rescue also pointed out the low tide being so far out that day and the inherent danger that created. [...]This distinction is not only important to us but to others as a critical safety warning.”
Cannon Beach Search and Rescue has also updated information about the incident on Facebook.
“After reviewing statements from the students involved and witnesses, it is more accurate to say that the group was wading in knee-deep water along the ocean shelf,” read the statement shared Tuesday afternoon. “They were struck by a wave and then pulled out by an intense rip current.”
A photo of Jacob Stokes shared by the Beaverton School District.
Courtesy of the Beaverton School District
Cannon Beach and Seaside rescue officials were dispatched that afternoon after the boys were no longer able to be seen. One student was pulled out of the water and sent to the hospital. He was released over the weekend according to the Beaverton School District officials.
The Coast Guard took over from Cannon Beach rescuers and searched Friday until dark but did not find Stokes. Beaverton district officials said his body had not been found as of Sunday.
In the new press release shared Tuesday, Cannon Beach Fire officials noted that the Friday rescue was one of several that took place over the weekend. Incidents included other missing children (who were found safe), a rescue on a nearby trail and other surf rescue calls.
In addition to those rescues, Cannon Beach fire officials said they also “contacted well over 150 beachgoers, and performed dozens of preventative callouts of people who were playing in/or dangerously close to rip currents.”