Two kayakers die, another critically injured in rough waters near Dungeness Bay
SEQUIM, Wash. — Two kayakers have died and another is in the hospital after being rescued by the Coast Guard in rough waters near Dungeness Bay in northwest Washington state, officials say.
The Seattle Times reports a 52-year-old man died after bystanders at the New Dungeness Lighthouse spotted the kayakers in trouble around 2:42 p.m. on Saturday.
A 39-year-old woman was airlifted to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, but the Times reported a hospital supervisor confirmed Sunday morning that the woman had died.
A 50-year-old man remained in critical condition Sunday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Coast Guard officials say they were part of a church-affiliated group of seven kayakers who encountered 35 mph winds and 3-foot seas.
Clallam County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jim Borte says some of the kayaks capsized and four members of the group apparently swam to shore.
Bystanders requested help from Whidbey Naval Air Station personnel, who launched a helicopter. The Coast Guard says a rescue swimmer and a response boat also helped.
The Coast Guard had this safety advice:
"Wearing a drysuit will greatly increase your chances of surviving in this water," said Jeff Gearhart, a search and rescue controller at Sector Puget Sound.
As summer rolls in and more people spend there time in and around the water, the importance of preparedness and planning cannot be stressed enough. Wear a personal flotation device, stay hydrated, tell someone your plan and stick to it, dress according to weather and water temperature, and know your limits.