The identity of the man who drowned late last evening off Lincoln Beach on Oregon's coast has been released, and he is from Tri-Cities.

Authorities say 56-year-old Kerry Eugene Bamford of Pasco was apparently body surfing with friends Wednesday evening off the coast near Lincoln City. North Lincoln Fire and Rescue units received a 9-1-1 call around 8:40 p.m. from a man who said he was surfing with Bamford.

The friend said he spotted Bamford about 100 yards offshore, but then lost sight of him. The rescue unit sent two jet skis into the ocean, and about 20 minutes later found Bamford, floating and unresponsive about 200 yards from shore. Rescuers began to perform CPR on him and he was taken to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 

More From 870 AM KFLD