A day of riding at the Oregon Dunes turned tragic Sunday evening when a 35-year-old man was killed and a 13-year-old boy was seriously injured in a crash involving two dirt bikes and a side-by-side near Railroad Hill in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Emergency crews were dispatched shortly before 5:01 p.m., and responders used a hoist to get the most critically injured rider to Bay Area Hospital. Officials said both dirt bike riders had helmets, proper riding gear and safety flags.
What responders say happened
According to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, deputies, the Hauser Fire Department, Bay Cities Ambulance and the U.S. Coast Guard all responded to the dunes and requested a helicopter from Air Station North Bend to airlift the most seriously hurt rider to Bay Area Hospital. Despite those efforts, the adult rider later died. The sheriff’s release notes that the 13-year-old was first taken to Bay Area Hospital, then transferred to Portland for specialized pediatric care.
How the crash unfolded
Local reporting indicates the side-by-side was traveling south near Railroad Hill and had come to a complete stop when two dirt-bike riders heading north jumped a dune and did not see the vehicle, according to KOIN. One rider reportedly landed on top of the side-by-side, while the other could not stop and collided head-on with it. Investigators spoke with multiple witnesses at the scene as they worked to piece together a timeline of the crash.
Officials urge caution and remind riders of rules
The Coos County Sheriff’s Office cited “speed and jumping without a spotter” as contributing factors and reminded riders that jumping without a spotter is both unsafe and a violation, according to the agency’s statement. Authorities offered condolences to those affected and said the investigation is ongoing as deputies continue to follow up with witnesses and the people involved.
Why this matters at the dunes
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a heavily used stretch of coast where off-highway vehicles, dirt bikes and side-by-sides often share the sand, and where staging areas and campgrounds are managed by the Siuslaw National Forest. The Forest Service provides visitor information and staging rules for dune access and warns riders to follow posted rules, use safety flags and be ready for limited cell coverage and potentially remote rescues in parts of the dunes. More details on access and safety are available from the Siuslaw National Forest.
What’s next
The sheriff’s office says the crash remains under investigation and is asking anyone with information to contact Coos County deputies. For the full law enforcement statement, see the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, and for additional local coverage of the incident, see reporting from KOIN.
