A 30-year-old Corvallis doctor surfing near Devils Punchbowl Natural Area died Saturday, Dec. 1, state police said.

The U.S. Coast Guard sent a boat and helicopter to rescue Toren Stearns, Oregon State Police said, and a rescue swimmer brought Stearns to the beach.

A helicopter took Stearns to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport around 5 p.m., where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Stearns left his dog on the beach while he surfed, police said. Lincoln County Animal Shelter took care of the dog as officials made contact with Stearns’s family.

-- Fedor Zarkhin

fzarkhin@oregonian.com

desk: 503-294-7674|cell: 971-373-2905|@fedorzarkhin