GOLD BEACH, Ore. — Curry County Sheriff John Ward says a man from Cottage Grove died Saturday when a boat overturned in 12- to 14-foot swells at the mouth of the Rogue River.
The sheriff says the 18-foot boat capsized about 300 yards from the shore in Gold Beach while trying to cross the bar out to sea.
Deputies found 56-year-old Thomas Whiting face down in the water and his nephew, Charlie Johnson of Cottage Grove, clinging to a seat cushion.
Paramedics performed CPR on Whiting, but he could not be saved. Deputies threw a lifeline to the 36-year-old nephew, who was taken to Curry General Hospital to be treated for hypothermia.
A Labrador retriever aboard the boat was still missing Saturday afternoon.
