A man who died in a boating accident on the Oregon Coast has been identified as a Rogue Community College welding instructor.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened Thursday on Winchester Bay, about 23 miles north of Coos Bay.

The sheriff’s office said Anthony Knight, 35, of Medford was ocean fishing with friends Kenneth McKeane, 36, of Central Point and his father, James McKeane, 63 of Medford when they decided at around 2 p.m. to return to the dock because of the weather changing.

As the three were returning in James McKeane’s 2020 18-foot Kingfisher, a large wave crashed into the left side of the boat causing it to roll over. All three went into the water without lifejackets and the boat eventually capsized.

The sheriff’s office said the U.S. Coast Guard got James McKeane and an unconscious Knight out of the water. They both were then transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital for medical treatment. The sheriff’s office said efforts to revive Knight failed. Kenneth McKeane, meanwhile, was located by a Coast Guard helicopter on the North Jetty and was airlifted from there to North Bend Hospital.

On Monday, RCC confirmed that Knight had worked at the college since 2016. He began teaching welding manufacturing to students in 2023, according to the school.

A spokeswoman for the college described Knight’s death as “a huge loss.” A dean, meanwhile, said in a statement that Knight’s love for his job as an instructor “resonated with his students and coworkers alike.”

“Anthony is missed by all,” added Stephen Phelps, dean of instruction in applied technology, visual arts and design.

The sheriff’s office said the accident was one of two that day on Winchester Bay. No one was injured in the other accident.

The sheriff’s office said both accidents remain under investigation by the sheriff’s marine division working in coordination with the Oregon State Marine Board.