Man Falls to His Death in Dangerous 20-Foot Sinkhole Known as the ‘Drainpipe of the Pacific’

An unidentified man died after falling into a well-known but dangerous sinkhole on the Oregon coast, officials said.

Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, emergency crews responded to Thor’s Well near Cape Perpetua after reports that a man had fallen in and “appeared to be drowning,” according to the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District.

When responders arrived, they heard mixed reports about whether the person was still in the water. It soon became clear he was inside Thor’s Well.

“Due to wave conditions and the nature of the well, personnel on the ground were unable to perform any recovery efforts,” the agency said.

The U.S. Coast Guard said it received a report that a “middle-aged male” had fallen into Thor’s Well. A helicopter from Air Station North Bend in Washington and a rescue boat from Station Siuslaw River were sent to help.

After local crews and the Coast Guard boat couldn’t reach the man, a helicopter rescue swimmer was lowered into the water. He recovered the victim and brought him to Pacific Community Hospital, the Coast Guard said.

It’s unclear how the man fell, but one witness told officials he may have gotten too close to the edge.

Police later found a car with a Colorado license plate along U.S. 101, according to OregonLive. It was filled with camping gear and personal items and was later towed. Authorities said the man was alone, but his identity has not been released.

This is the third death at Thor’s Well since 2017, OregonLive reported. The site is a popular tourist attraction, sometimes called the “drainpipe of the Pacific.” It is about 20 feet deep and very dangerous.

Rescue swimmer Tyler Gantt, 31, told the Lincoln Chronicle the mission was one of the riskiest of his 10-year career. When lowered into the hole, he said he saw overhangs and cavities as the water surged in and out. He worried the rescue cable could snap if it went too tight or too loose.

After two failed attempts, Gantt was able to recover the victim’s body.

Reflecting on the experience, Gantt urged people to stay away from the edge of Thor’s Well.

“Speaking as someone who’s been in it — there’s nothing to see in there,” he told the Lincoln Chronicle. “It’s not worth risking your life. The only thing to watch is the waves from a safe distance.”