Yahoo Lifestyle 1 Dead, 1 Hospitalized as U.S. Coast Guard Makes Nighttime Rescue from Sailboat in 'Snowy Conditions'
A woman, who was located in the water, died from her injuries following the rescue, while a 56-year-old man was transported to the hospital
A woman has died and a man has been hospitalized after the U.S. Coast Guard had to carry out a nighttime rescue mission involving a sailboat near the San Juan Islands in Washington State on Monday, Feb. 3.
On Feb. 4, officials shared in a press release that crew members “rescued a 56-year-old man and recovered a woman who later succumbed to her injuries.”
While the man was rescued from the grounded 31-foot sailboat, the helicopter crew located the woman — who was recovered unconscious — in the water.
“Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound watchstanders received a mayday call via VHF radio from the captain of the sailboat around 7 p.m. stating his sailboat was disabled and drifting toward land,” the release read. “Snowy conditions and 25 to 30 mph winds with 4 to 6-foot seas were reported as the on-scene weather.”
United States Coast Guard
Aerial footage of the sailboat rescue in Washington State on Feb. 3, 2025In a video shared by the Coast Guard, the sailboat can be seen being battered by strong winds as the rescue team approach the vessel.
“As Coast Guard crews were attempting the rescue, the sailboat ran aground,” the release continued. “After the mast of the vessel collapsed, the aircrew was able to lower the rescue swimmer to reach the individuals.”
United States Coast Guard
A swimmer being lowered during the rescue mission near San Juan Islands in Washington State on Feb. 3, 2025Footage showed the swimmer being lowered to the sailboat in a harness.
Officials added, “After the rescue swimmer retrieved the man and he was hoisted to the rescue boat, the helicopter crew located the woman in the water and guided the boatcrew to her location.”
United States Coast Guard
Footage of the sailboat during the rescue mission near San Juan Islands in Washington State on Feb. 3, 2025Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
A crew member immediately began performing CPR after the woman was brought aboard.
"The woman was hoisted from the response boat to the helicopter and flown to St. Joesph Medical Center in Bellingham," the release added. "She was later declared deceased by hospital personnel."
The 56-year-old was transported to St. Joesph Medical Center in Bellingham.
A member of the Coast Guard was also injured during the mission and “transported to the hospital for evaluation and released later that night.”
Read the original article on People
