Body of jet skier washes up on Gearhart beach Tuesday

Published 12:04 pm Wednesday, December 31, 2025

On Tuesday afternoon, a Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted an overturned jet ski while on a training exercise near Gearhart, according to Annika Hirschler, a Coast Guard spokesperson.

The helicopter crew began a search around 3 p.m. and were later assisted by a Coast Guard boat dispatched from Cape Disappointment. They did not find the missing jet skier.

A body that washed up on the beach was later found and identified by the Gearhart Police Department as the operator of the jet ski.

“(We) received a call at 3:58 p.m,” Gearhart Police Chief Joshua Gregory said. “Ten minutes after the call, the body had washed ashore.” 

Allen Mears, of Mercer Island, Wash., told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he was walking with his family on the beach between Gearheart and Seaside around 4 p.m. when they heard the sound of a helicopter overhead.

Mears said they thought it was a Coast Guard training exercise at first, but 15 minutes later they saw a couple on the beach flagging down approaching firefighters.

He added that the weather was sunny and in the 50s, and the beach was busy with people strolling and clamming at low tide.

Elizabeth DeVisser, Clatsop County Sheriff  Medicolegal Death Investigator, arrived on scene. Seaside Fire & Rescue firefighters approached what appeared to be a body near the surf’s edge, and carried it away in a body bag, Mears said.

The family was contacted minutes after, Gregory said. 

The jet skier’s name has not yet been released.

This is a developing story. Please check back at dailyastorian.com for updates.