Two boaters die, helicopter crashes in Eureka

[Jan Z]

<br /><br />Two die, helicopter crashes into the water in boat rescue <br /> <br />Chris Durant and Shaun Walker<br />Eureka Times Standard <br /> <br /><br />MANILA -- A mother and son from Eureka died Saturday afternoon when the boat they were in capsized. The Coast Guard helicopter that was trying to rescue them crashed into the surf. <br /><br />The Humboldt County Coroner's Office identified the deceased as Vesta Lorraine Baker, 82, who died at the scene, and her son Charles Wayne Baker, 59, who was pronounced dead at the hospital. The name of the boat was the White Horse II. The other two people from the boat were taken to a hospital, while the three Coast Guard crew members in the helicopter apparently received only minor injuries. <br /><br />A 911 call came into the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department shortly after 1 p.m., stating a boat had gotten too close to the breaking surf and capsized. <br /><br />Deputies arrived on the scene shortly after the helicopter, which already had a rescue swimmer in the water. The swimmer had pulled a victim to the beach and was not in the helicopter at the time of the crash. <br /><br />Deputy Roy Reynolds said he was helping to get one of the victims away from the surf when he looked up and saw the helicopter was down. <br /><br />”I'm trying to drag a person to this beach and next thing I know the helicopter was in the water,” Reynolds said. It was upright at first, then a wave tipped it over, he said. <br /><br />Others who were in the dunes nearby said they saw the helicopter hovering and then it was gone. They thought it landed. <br /><br />The Coast Guard isn't commenting on what brought the helicopter down, but the crew is OK, according to Reynolds. They were able to get themselves out of the helicopter and to the beach. <br /><br />”The Coast Guard just had scratches,” Reynolds said. <br />XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX<br /><br />These folks were crabbing in close to the beach and were not wearing any flotation gear (PFD's), now two are dead. <br /><br />The boat capsized in less than 30 feet of water...What a shame.<br /><br />Last week I coincidentaly orderd a Stearns vest type PFD that I can (And will) wear full time while out fishing. <br /><br />How about you?

 

[AJ168]

Re: Two boaters die, helicopter crashes in Eureka

I have one of the inflatables worn around the waist whenever I'm out on the boat. Haven't had to use it yet, but I'm sure glad that I know that if something ever happens, it's there.<br /><br />The only two complaints that I have with it are that you need to be concious to use it, and it sometimes gets in the way of the butt of my rod while fighting in a fish.

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: Two boaters die, helicopter crashes in Eureka

Very sad story.<br />Seems like people just refuse to use their heads when it comes to safety and boating. I feel for the family but please..... if you boat have and use the proper gear.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Two boaters die, helicopter crashes in Eureka

Jan Z, have you heard why the boat was in the surf? Did a sneaker wave get the bird? Glad the CC crew is OK. Sorry for the victims families. Were they local? North or South of the jaws?

 

[rjhpilot91]

Re: Two boaters die, helicopter crashes in Eureka

I'm an HH-65 Dolphin flight mechanic at USCG Air Station Atlantic city and I'll try to post some Unclassified details about the crash later. It just goes to show that stupid people boating when they shouldn't be affects other people that are tasked with rescuing them. Thank God for underwater egress training.<br /><br />Rob

 

[rjhpilot91]

Re: Two boaters die, helicopter crashes in Eureka

I'm an HH-65 Dolphin flight mechanic at USCG Air Station Atlantic city and I'll try to post some Unclassified details about the crash later. It just goes to show that stupid people boating when they shouldn't be affects other people that are tasked with rescuing them. Thank God for underwater egress training.<br /><br />Rob

 

[JRJ]

Re: Two boaters die, helicopter crashes in Eureka

Rob82, do you have a sign at your hanger saying "You Have To Go, But You Don't Have To Come Back" ? A few years ago, in fog, a Dolphin crew flew into a hillside close to Shelter Cove Ca killing all aboard. The people turned out ok on the boat they were looking for. Too often, heroes die trying to save idiots.

 

[Jan Z]

Re: Two boaters die, helicopter crashes in Eureka

These guys were north of the jaws off of Manila, roughly 5 miles, it appears that they were out attempting to go crabbing and were in tight on the beach.<br />I listened to the whole thing on the raido and the boat was flipped in 30' of water just outside the surf line. <br /><br />And my suspicion, as you suggested is that they (The boat) got caught by a sneaker.<br /><br />I suspect some sort of mechanical problem may have brought the chopper down. I didn't even hear an "Aw chit!" from the pilot on the raido, just that the bird was in the water from a beach unit.<br /><br />These Coast Guard folks here are first rate and I'm real glad that the aircrew got out of it alive and uninjured. <br /><br />Kinda rough on the bird, but those can be replaced