JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Alaska, MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and good Samaritans responded to a boating allision involving five passengers in Althorp Cove, approximately 60 miles west of Juneau, Wednesday evening.
The good Samaritans performed CPR on one of the passengers and transported the others to the beach until the Jayhawk crew arrived on scene. The Coast Guard crew was unable to resuscitate the individual and made the determination to discontinue CPR. The crew transported the other four people to Juneau where they were transferred to awaiting emergency medical personnel.
Coast Guard Sector Juneau received a report from a bystander that a 16-foot skiff with two adults and three children aboard had allided with a piling. It was reported three people were in the water. Watchstanders requested the launch of the Jayhawk aircrew.
“It’s always a tragedy to lose a loved one,” said Lt. Thomas Kennedy, command duty officer for Sector Juneau. “Our thoughts are with this family during their time of mourning.”
The weather on scene was reported as calm and clear, 1-foot waves and 11-mph winds.