PACIFIC CITY, Ore. (KOIN) — To many people, Cape Kiwanda is what defines Pacific City.
But thanks to a group of vandals, one of the spot’s most iconic rock formations is now a thing of the past.
State park officials didn’t initially believe “duckbill rock” was destroyed by people. But video shared with KOIN 6 News shows a group pushing it until it topples over.
“It just breaks my heart because so many people have grown up around that rock,” David Kalas, who took the video of the rock being pushed over, said.
Kalas said he thought the group was just posing for a picture when he heard screams. He and his friend Michael Kel went over to the rock and noticed it wobbling.
“We looked over and there were probably 8 guys pushing over the rock,” Kel said. “They kind of just laughed it off and took it with pride that they destroyed something so magnificent and disappeared after. It had no meaning to them whatsoever.”
The sandstone pedestal was popular among visitors, who often climbed it for pictures. It was located in a part of the park that is technically off-limits, after six people died on the nearby cliffs over the last two years.
Parks spokesman Chris Havel says there’s a good reason the area is fenced off. He says it might look safe, but sandstone can give out without warning.
The Associated Press contributed to this report