An Oregon father and son's fishing trip ended in tragedy when their boat capsized and the pair apparently drowned. Constantin Leahu, 43, was with his 11-year-old son, Andrei Leahu, and three others celebrating the boy's birthday in Astoria on July 13 when the accident occurred. Constantin Leahu was reportedly an avid fisherman, and his son had dreamed of an adventure at sea with his father.
The Columbian reported that the father and son were celebrating the boy's birthday, which was the day before the accident, with three other people when their boat capsized. The Leahu family is devastated, and loved ones are raising funds to help with life after their unthinkable loss.
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The accident occurred in the morning.
The US Coast Guard received a 911 call about 10:50 a.m. regarding a capsized boat, The Columbian reported. The boat was a 26-foot fishing vessel. The exact location of the accident is unclear, but the area where the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean meet is known for rough conditions.
Two of the five passengers survived the accident, and a third was given CPR at the scene but did not survive. The identities of the others aboard the boat were not released. Constantin and Andrei have not been found and are presumed dead. Authorities searched for them until nightfall.
The family was preparing to celebrate Andrei's birthday.
Family friend Irina Negrean told Fox 8 the fishing trip was in honor of the boy's birthday and that they had planned a celebration afterward.
"Andrei's birthday cake is still in the fridge, and it is just a monumental loss," Negrean told Fox 8. "It's an unbelievable loss."
Andrei was the couple's only son.
Negrean told the Columbian that the family was active at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Beaverton, Oregon, and Andrei was an altar server. He was one of five children and the family's only boy.
"They were very involved with the church and would volunteer their time. The children would help with church events and Andrei was an altar boy," Negrean told the Columbian. "It's a huge loss to our community. This was a huge shock."
Friends are doing their best to support the mother and her daughters.
Negreanu shared her love for the family with Fox 8 and said she is trying to be supportive.
"I'm trying to channel his energy and give back to his family as much as possible," Negrean said. "I know that's what he would have wanted."
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Loved ones are raising money for the surviving family.
Florentin Agoston created the GoFundMe account for Venera Leahu and the couple's daughters. Agoston wrote kind words about the father and son and shared that the goal is to help lighten the financial burden for the heartbroken wife and mother.
"It is our goal to provide as much financial support in these trying times, as well as later on. We hope to show, in our own way, what an incredible impact Constantin and Andrei made on us—not just as individuals but as a community," Agoston wrote.
The fundraiser has brought in more than $116,000 of a $250,000 goal thus far.
