Coast Guard rescues three people stranded on island in Willapa Bay
Willapa, WA – Coast Guard crews rescued three people from an island in Willapa Bay last night after their canoe capsized due to weather.
The Coast Guard says that after one of the stranded individuals called 911, watchstanders were notified from Pacific County dispatch around 5:30 p.m. that three people needed assistance on Long Island in Willapa Bay after their 17-foot canoe capsized.
According to the Coast Guard, a Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria was already in the air for training and arrived on scene at 6 p.m.
The aircrew deployed a rescue swimmer to assess the condition of the three people and they were hoisted from the island.
The Coast Guard says they were transported to awaiting medical personnel at the Ilwaco Airport at 7 p.m. for further assessment.
The current medical condition of the individuals is unknown.
The Coast Guard recommends boaters always check weather forecasts prior to departing on a journey.