A family of seven is mourning the loss of a father and son who disappeared during a fishing trip when their boat capsized. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that 43-year-old Constantin Leahu and his 11-year-old son, Andrei Leahu, were on a boat that tipped over near Astoria on Saturday. Rescue crews have been searching for the father and son since they were last seen in the water, but they have not yet been able to locate them.
“I don’t think we have a lot of hope to find them alive at this point,” said Irina Negrean, a friend of the Leahu family. “So, we’re trying to figure out the next steps. Andrei had wished to go with him for so long, so this was a dream come true to be out on a fishing boat with his dad.”
The father and son were fishing with three others when the boat capsized, throwing the group into the water. The Coast Guard managed to pull three people out of the ocean, but one of them died en route to the hospital, according to KPTV.
Rescue crews are continuing their search for Constantin and Andrei Leahu. “Andrei’s birthday cake is still in the fridge, and it is just a monumental loss,” Negrean said. “It’s an unbelievable loss.” Since the tragedy, the Romanian community at Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church in Portland has been rallying to support the family. Constantin Leahu was the family’s sole provider.
“Our goal is to surround them with as much love and financial support as possible,” Negrean said. The community has set up a GoFundMe on the family’s behalf to help them through this difficult time.
Negrean described Constantin Leahu as a positive person who always had room at his table for anyone. “I’m trying to channel his energy and give back to his family as much as possible,” she said. “I know that’s what he would have wanted.” The family and the community continue to hope for a miracle while grappling with the heartbreaking reality of their loss.