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Oregon State Police Take Lead On Duckbill Toppling Case

Oregon State Police are taking the lead on a case where a sandstone rock formation was pushed over by tourists.  KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

  

Parks and Rec spokesman Chris Havel says police want to determine what violations of state park rules and Oregon laws were committed when visitors toppled the “duckbill” formation at Cape Kiwanda late last month.  Havel says there’s no way to restore the rock pedestal.

“It’s a pile of sandstone dust now.” 

Havel adds that the people captured on video haven’t been identified yet.

“Everyone’s of course hoping that they’ll simply step forward, and save everybody the time of trying to figure out who they are," says Havel.  "Somebody knows the people who are pictured.” 

Social media is both a blessing and a curse, he adds.  The phone video and its distribution have alerted people to the incident.  But Havel says it also lead people to the fenced-off area at Cape Kiwanda to climb, stand on, and ultimately knock over the large but fragile rock formation.

NOTE: Oregon State Police say people with tips can call 1-800-452-7888 or email them to osppio@state.or.us.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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