SEASIDE, Ore. -- A spring break trip to the Oregon coast was short cut by a vicious gay bashing for two nursing students from Western Washington.

The two men, Sam, 22, and Kevin, 23, said they left a campfire to walk along the beach during what was supposed to be a stress-free getaway. But the walk itself was anything but stress free -- the two were beaten unconscious late Saturday night.

When Sam and Kevin finally came to, the two nursing students knew just how serious their injuries were.

"The whole event -- I really don't remember a lot, because I sustained a lot of head trauma," said Sam.

"I've never had a face trauma like this or anything like that. It's pretty bad," Kevin said.

Thinking back to the attack, the two men said they believe it was their sexual orientation that made them a target.

"All of the sudden, someone asked if were gay, called us 'fags,' then started punching us," said Sam.

The victims said three or four young men dressed in black attacked them, letting loose punch after punch.

The attack left the two men severely injured and bruised. Kevin's right eye is so badly damaged he plans to see a plastic surgeon on Wednesday.

"It's upsetting to know that people can be so angry," said Sam. "We're easy-going people, and were just having a good time and meeting new friends. Some people can be so malicious and narrow-minded."

The attackers left the couple lying on the beach, unconscious. The two young men later stumbled into a nearby hotel for help.

"They didn't know my limit, how much I could take before we would die or sustain irreversible head trauma," said Kevin.

Sam and Kevin say neither of them has ever been in a fight before, much less punched in the face. They worry this one violent moment has changed them.

"You really don't know what kind of people are out there until something like this happens to you," said Kevin.

"I think people like that don't deserve to be walking the streets," said Sam.

Kevin has medical insurance, but Sam does not. Sam estimates his medical bills will top $1,500.

Detectives want to speak to the individuals who were present at the campfire prior to the attack. Anyone with information on these individuals' identities is urged to call the Seaside Police Department at (503) 738-6311.