Safety marker honors drowning victims, serves as a warning
YACHATS, Ore. - Two years ago, a high school trip to the Oregon coast turned tragic and now a safety marker is being dedicated to warn people about the inherent danger of the ocean.
In 2011, two students from South Eugene High School - 18-year-old Connor Gregory Ausland and 17-year-old Jack Harnsongkram - drowned near Smelt Sands State Park in Yachats.
They were among a group of students who went out onto a rocky outcropping and when waves came crashing in, Ausland and Harnsongkram were swept into the ocean.
A safety marker has now been placed nearby to not only remember the young men who lost their lives but also to serve as a warning for others that the coast can be dangerous.
The marker will be officially dedicated this Saturday. The boys' parents are expected to be there, along with classmates and community members. All are welcome to attend.
The dedication is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in the Pacific Room at Adobe Resort (located at 1555 U.S. 101 in Yachats). There will be speakers, a short film on coastal safety and then a gathering at the marker.
That's a cool sculpture. How about a nod to the artist?
Seems like this plaque is in English only. How could that happen? Either way, I'm sure it'll be covered in seagull poop soon!
Why do I just have visions of people reading the memorial plaque, and then walking out to see where it happened.
I can see a small child getting hurt by this monument because of inattentive parents.
@Kitty Korny, what a heartless troll. you know Karma ...
RIP boys, such a tragedy, poor parents. Sorry for your loss!
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@kitty korny   Not only are you an idiot, but you're an ignorant one as well. The karma is directed at you ... sigh
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Kitty Korny These "idiots" family and friends probably read these posts you know....Now who's the idiot?
@danoseknows That would be the idiots who didn't read any of the 50 billion signs warning about waves all along the oregon coast and didn't use any common sense. And now you for confusing idiocy with lack of tact.
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@Kitty Korny @danoseknows ....AND?...
@Kitty Korny:   "Idiots" seems pretty harsh. Perhaps they were taking reasonable care and simply underestimated the waves, current, and coldness. That happens rather frequently on the Oregon Coast.
@7Ws @Kitty Korny I agree that they were idiots - city idiots, to be exact! Only city idiots would be likely to play around in such a dangerous way and place! Monument to stupidity!
@Kitty Korny It was just photographed.
We all make mistakes, most of us recover from them.
@Kitty Korny You are such a cold hearted individual!! I hope you never have children. You are the IDIOT here!!!!!
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@kitty korny... actually, truth be told, you are a very sad person. All your comments here are truly negative. Not any sign that you are a pleasant person. That is the sad part ... so again ... Karma will visit you at some future point.  And I'm done ...