Three of the eleven people rescued from a floatplane crash near Sucia Island in Washington’s San Juan Islands remained hospitalised on Friday, while the remaining passengers had been treated and discharged. Two victims were receiving treatment at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, while another was in satisfactory condition at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.
The U.S. Coast Guard released footage of the dramatic rescue, which involved hoisting survivors from the crash site amid strong winds. Rescue crews from Coast Guard Station Bellingham responded by air and sea, coordinating efforts to safely evacuate all 10 passengers and the pilot from the wreckage.
Officials credited nearby boaters with playing a vital role in the rescue. Before emergency responders arrived, witnesses in anchored vessels had already pulled survivors from the water and provided initial medical assistance, significantly contributing to the successful outcome of the operation.
The survivors sustained injuries ranging from cuts and lacerations to broken bones and head injuries. PeaceHealth officials praised the swift response of their trauma teams, expressing support for the victims and their families as they begin what is expected to be a lengthy recovery process.
