Two women drown Friday in separate incidents, both were clam digging

Both incidents were reported within four minutes of each other, according to the sheriff’s office. Both women had been clam digging with their husbands.

The first call came in at 8:57 p.m. from the Oysterville beach approach north of Ocean Park. Jerilynn K. Reinke, 70, of Ocean Park disappeared in the surf while digging clams.

Sheriff’s office personnel and South Pacific County Technical Rescue (Surf Rescue) responders were immediately dispatched to search the area.

According to the sheriff’s office, a Coast Guard helicopter was involved in a bird strike and was unable to reach the scene. Rough surf and bad weather further hampered the search.

The second call came in at 9:01 p.m. Friday that Sharon K. Leseman, 61, had vanished in the surf near the Warrenton Cannery Road near Grayland. Rescue personnel from several agencies were dispatched to the scene and began searching.

Although the initial report stated Leseman was from Toledo, Pacific County Deputy Pat Matlock said she had a Grayland address, and they’re not sure where she lives.

Reinke’s body was located at 5 p.m. Saturday near Westport in Grays Harbor County, about 25 miles north of where she’d vanished. Leseman’s body was located between the Cranberry and Midway beach approaches in Pacific County at about 5:38 a.m.

The sheriff’s office said the tragedy is a reminder to be cautious near the surf.

“Always stay close to other clammers, bring a flashlight or lantern, a waterproof cell phone and never turn your back on the surf as sneaker waves can appear at any time,” according to the sheriff’s office.