FLORENCE, Ore. — A man who was one minute relaxing against a large log on an Oregon beach was the next minute dead when a large wave turned his backrest into a bludgeon.
The Oregon State Police said the man was with family members Sunday and sitting on the sand near Florence, his back against the log. It was 25 inches in diameter and 40 feet long.
A relative was on the log near him and got knocked away. As the man tried to help her up, the receding water washed the log over him.
Police identified him as Ming Hsieh, 58, of Eugene.
Authorities commonly warn beachgoers about “sneaker” waves and large logs that can be tossed about in just a few inches of water.
