Cheerlader, 14, dies while taking selfies after log traps her underwater
Aurora Genai Sheffel was killed while at the beach with friends (Picture: Facebook)
A high school cheerleader died while taking selfies when the log she was standing on rolled over and trapped her underneath the water.
Aurora Genai Sheffel, 14, from Oregon, was posing with her friends at the South Jetty Park Beach on spring break.
But the timber began to move in the surf and the teenager became stuck while her two friends managed to leap to safety, according to authorities.
She was eventually freed from the heavy piece of wood and given CPR but died later in hospital, reports Register Guard.
Aurora’s stepfather, David Wederquist, said she had just become a cheerleader for North Eugene High School and was out celebrating on Saturday.
Cheerlader, 14, dies while taking selfies after log traps her underwater
She was out celebrating becoming a cheerleader at her high school (Picture: Facebook)
‘She was just a great kid; you couldn’t ask for one better. She was really mostly a nerd, straight As. But she thought she’d give cheerleading a try,’ he said.

Sgt Kyle Hove of the Oregon State Police said Aurora and her friends were just ‘taking pictures and posing’ at the time.
‘The tide was receding heavily. Bystanders were able to pull her out from under the log and call for help about 4pm Saturday,’ he said.
‘A Bandon police officer administered CPR, and paramedics attempted life­saving measures, but Sheffel died at Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center in Bandon soon afterward.’
Cheerlader, 14, dies while taking selfies after log traps her underwater
Her stepfather described her as a ‘great kid’ (Picture: GoFundMe)
He added that timber can become so waterlogged over time making it heavier and unstable in the tide.
The North Eugene Cheerleading have called her death a ‘terrible and unexpected tragedy.’

A statement read: ‘She was only a freshman but was already such an amazing person and cheerleader. Aurora was a happy person and her excitement for life was truly contagious. You couldn’t help but smile when you were around her. She was a great big sister and she loved loved loved her little ones.’
A GoFundMe page was set up by Aurora’s aunt, Kayli Keyes, and has already raised more than $9,000 (£7,200) to help cover funeral costs.
Kayli wrote: ‘Thank you so much for your generosity in our family’s time of need. My brother and sister-in-law are grieving so deeply and not having to worry about final expenses during this time is truly a blessing.’