Volunteer 4x4 Crew Rescues Stuck Emergency Vehicle

A local volunteer group became the heroes who needed rescuing during an emergency operation on a Cannon Beach shore last Saturday.

Deputies spotted a surfer being pulled away by currents near Chapman Point that evening, launching an urgent rescue mission. Three emergency vehicles rushed to the scene, but winter storms and erosion had created dangerous conditions at Ecola Creek.

Cannon Beach Fire Deputy Jason Smith was driving one vehicle when it became lodged in a hidden hole while crossing the creek. What started as a routine response quickly turned serious as the incoming tide surrounded the trapped vehicle.

"When I first got stuck in that hole, it was only just above the stepboards," Smith told news partner KGW. "As that tide started to impact it, it started to get a little bit higher."

The water kept rising, eventually reaching the door and seeping inside the vehicle. Time was running out, and the emergency crew needed their own emergency assistance.

That's when a volunteer 4x4 group arrived and sprang into action. These experienced off-road enthusiasts used their skills and equipment to extract the stuck vehicle and rescue critical emergency equipment before the tide could claim everything.

The Bright Side

Smith confirmed the vehicle is a total loss, but insurance will cover it. More importantly, no first responders were injured, and the volunteer group's quick thinking saved valuable emergency equipment that serves the entire community.

The U.S. Coast Guard took over the search for the surfer, though they later suspended operations after being unable to locate the individual. The challenging conditions that trapped the emergency vehicle showed just how dangerous the waters were that evening.

The incident highlights how coastal communities rely on networks of trained volunteers who stand ready to help. These 4x4 enthusiasts didn't just save a vehicle—they ensured first responders could continue serving their community without losing essential rescue equipment to the ocean.

When emergency responders needed help, their community answered the call without hesitation.