16 Year Old Boy Presumed Drowned Attempting to Save 11 Year Old *found deceased*

[Athena]

A particularly tragic story...

Teen who tried to rescue boy presumed drowned

http://media.komotv.com/images/080309_Barfuss_Jenison.jpg

GLENEDEN BEACH, Ore. - About 50 people joined in the search Sunday for an Aloha teen who went missing while trying to rescue a younger boy struggling in the surf at Gleneden Beach a day earlier.

According to Oregon State Police, Ross Barfuss, 16, was last seen going into the ocean to help 11-year-old River Jenison about 1:15 p.m. Saturday. He did not know the boy, who was from Westfir.

Family members of Barfuss reported him missing as rescue crews searched for Jenison, who was eventually pulled from the water and taken to an area hospital, where he died.

The search for Barfuss continued into late Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, about 50 members of the Hazeldale ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to the scene to help the family search for Barfuss. The 16-year-old boy is presumed drowned.

Barfuss was a junior at Aloha High School, state police said. His family had moved to Aloha in 2007 after spending eight years in the Pendleton area.

[Becca]

That's twice in just a few days someone has died while doing something good & being a hero. What a shame.

I'm so sorry he died and cannot imagine what his family is feeling, but I hope they feel some pride in the fact their son died trying to save someone instead of being some asshat we post on the front page because he did something horrible.

[jenny7795]

A Gold Lifesaving Medal was posthumously awarded to Ross Barfuss at Aloha High School, Aloha Ore., Thursday.

Barfuss died at 16-years-old attempting to rescue a 12-year-old boy who was caught in heavy surf near Cutler City, Ore., March 8, 2008. The medal was presented to Barfuss' family by Rear Admiral John Currier, Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District.

The 12-year-old boy had been swept to sea when Barfuss put his own life in danger by attempting a rescue. Depoe Bay Fire and Rescue recovered the 12-year-old boy and transported him to the Lincoln City Hospital where he was declared dead. Barfuss went missing shortly after his rescue attempt.

Coast Guard crews from Station Depoe Bay, Ore., and Air Station North Bend, Ore. searched for Barfuss without any success.

Barfuss will be recognized for his unselfish and heroic actions despite imminent personal danger.

http://www.piersystem.net/go/doc/21/261727/

His body has been found and positively identified.

http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=121011253015420500

[Obsolete]

My best friend was at this beach the same day this happened (he wasn't there when this happened though). He was with is 16 yr old son and when the news first broke they didn't provide any names, I cried non-stop until I was able to contact him and make sure it wasn't his son. I feel for the family and I hope they are forever proud of their lil one.