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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Passing wildland firefighter helps stop Central Point fire that injured one ... Sams Valley man found dead in Lost Creek Lake ... Lithia fountains back on after testing found to be 'faulty' ... Passing wildland firefighter helps stop Central Point fire that injured one ... Sams Valley man found dead in Lost Creek Lake ... Lithia fountains back on after testing found to be 'faulty' ... OREGON COAST Teen dies after fall at Cape Kiwanda; 5th death in 8 months Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 1, 2016 at 4:31 PM By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 1, 2016 at 4:31 PM » Social News PACIFIC CITY — A teenager from Woodburn became the fifth person to die in eight months at Cape Kiwanda after he fell into the water while climbing the dunes there, authorities said Monday. David Lopez, 19, drowned Sunday. Two of his companions who also fell made it safely to shore, the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. The chain-reaction accident began when one of the friends tumbled into the water and Lopez and the other friend fell in while trying to help him, deputies said. The other two men had minor cuts and scratches and were treated at the scene, said James Oeder, division chief for the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District. A U.S. Coast Guard crew hoisted Lopez to the beach, but emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene, Oeder said. The three friends were part of a group of about five people climbing in an area known as the Punch Bowl, deputies said. Earlier this month, 17-year-old Megan Owens of Marysville, Washington, also fell into the water at Cape Kiwanda. She has yet to be found. Both she and Lopez went around a wire fence to climb in the area, deputies said. Tillamook County Sheriff Andy Long said the people who have died or fallen into the water at Cape Kiwanda are generally in the same age group — teens and 20s — and that they're generally not locals. "In our opinion, no matter what kind of fence you put up, they'll probably go around it," he said. For a while, he said, people were trying to go beyond the fence to reach dead trees and place beer cans on dead branches. Fire and rescue crews picked up the trash and cut down the trees in hopes of keeping people from crossing the fence. That project ended last week, Long said. Mike Stein, north coast district manager for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, said it's challenging to keep people safe in "a place that can be treacherous but attractive at the same time." The department plans to place a seasonal ranger at Cape Kiwanda to help control crowds and deliver safety messages, he said. That ranger will work during warmer periods, possibly beginning May 1, but hasn't been hired yet. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 1, 2016 at 4:31 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501