Multiple people have been injured, including one in critical condition, following the incident, which occured on Thursday, July 23
Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Northwest/X
NEED TO KNOW
- A Kenmore Air seaplane crashed in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island in Washington state after departing from Seattle on Thursday, July 23
- Survivors escaped the plane before it burst into flames, with four people transported to hospitals for serious injuries
- All 11 people — 10 passengers and 1 pilot — were accounted for, and one person is in critical condition following the incident
A seaplane carrying 11 people crashed off the coast of Washington state and burst into flames, leaving one person in critical condition.
The Kenmore Air plane made an emergency landing at around 5:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 23, in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island, the airline confirmed in a press release. U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Puget Sound received reports of the crash around 10 minutes later, they confirmed.
A Kenmore Air spokesperson told KING 5 Seattle that the seaplane took off at 4:30 p.m. from Lake Union in Seattle and was heading to Roche Harbor, but went down about 45 minutes into the flight.
The aircraft was carrying 10 passengers and one pilot at the time of the incident. All 11 people have been accounted for, per the releases.
Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Northwest/X
Four people were transported to hospitals with serious injuries, CNN affiliate KING 5 Seattle reported, citing a Kenmore Air spokesperson. One of the four injured is believed to be in critical condition, per the outlets, which cited San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office said there were “multiple patients with injuries ranging from head injuries to broken bones and lacerations, with 1 patient in critical condition and no reports of fatalities at this time,” per a Facebook post uploaded on Thursday.
Credit: KING 5 Seattle/Youtube
A video posted by KING 5 Seattle showed the seaplane heading towards the water before hitting the rocks. Survivors were seen climbing out of the plane before it burst into flames.
Several injured passengers were transported to hospitals in Friday Harbor, Skagit County and Bellingham for medical treatment, the USCG said.
Police, who were called around 15 minutes after the crash, said the U.S. Navy was on the scene to assist, and that three airlift ambulances had transported patients to hospitals.
The Coast Guard said the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration had been informed about the crash.
It stated in its press release, dated Friday, July 24, that the plane was still against the rocks and that they were “coordinating with partner agencies to assess potential environmental impacts.”
The cause of the emergency landing is under investigation.
Credit: Ian Dewar/Alamy
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Kenmore Air said in its release that it had canceled all scheduled flights for Friday, July 24, as “our team focuses on supporting the passengers, pilot, families, employees, and emergency response efforts following today’s accident near Sucia Island.”
“This evening one of our aircraft was involved in an accident near Sucia Island,” David Gudgel, CEO of Kenmore Air, said in the release. “We are grateful that everyone aboard has been accounted for, and our immediate focus is ensuring our passengers and pilot receive the care and support they need.”
“We extend our sincere thanks to the United States Coast Guard, local emergency responders, and everyone assisting in the response. Kenmore Air is fully cooperating with the investigating authorities, and we will continue providing verified information as it becomes available,” he added.
PEOPLE has contacted Kenmore Air, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration for additional information, but did not immediately receive a response.
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