Tragedy struck near Sitka on Tuesday night as a boating accident claimed the lives of two individuals, while three others miraculously survived the ordeal. The incident occurred near Chichagof Island, approximately 25 miles north of Sitka, when the vessel capsized in the frigid waters.
Responding swiftly to the distress call, a helicopter from Air Station Sitka reached the scene at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday. The Coast Guard cutters Douglas Denman and Kukui, along with an HC-130 aircraft from Air Station Kodiak, also joined the rescue efforts. The emergency response teams acted promptly, rescuing three individuals from the icy waters by 5:50 p.m.
Despite the valiant efforts of the Coast Guard and other rescue teams, two individuals remained missing. The search continued into the night, with the vessels tracking the drift of the capsized boat and scouring the surrounding area in the hope of finding the missing persons.
As the night unfolded, the weather posed additional challenges. Reports indicated winds of 8-10 knots, seas reaching heights of 9 feet, and temperatures plummeting below freezing. These harsh conditions added complexity to the ongoing search and rescue mission.
The tragic turn of events prompted the involvement of the Sitka Fire Department, which, in collaboration with a state trooper, utilized an underwater drone on Wednesday afternoon to locate the bodies of the two victims within the cabin of the overturned vessel. However, the difficult weather conditions delayed the commencement of recovery operations.
The three survivors, plucked from the cold waters, were swiftly flown to the Sitka airport where medical personnel were on standby to attend to their immediate needs.
As the community grappled with the devastating news, the Alaska State Troopers worked diligently to notify the families of the victims. The identities of the deceased were later confirmed as 18-year-old Sayer Tuzon and 18-year-old Darren Borbridge.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, memorial funds were set up to support the families of the victims. The Coast Guard, after initially locating the bodies with an underwater drone, faced challenges in recovering them due to adverse weather conditions. Despite the continued efforts of the Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Denman and additional search teams, the vessel could not be located, prompting the suspension of the search pending more information.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on the community as it rallied together to support the families of the victims. The impact of the boating accident near Sitka serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the sea, even in seemingly calm weather conditions.
As investigations into the incident unfold, the community mourns the loss of two young lives and supports the survivors in their journey to recovery. The tragic event underscores the importance of maritime safety and the resilience required in the face of unforeseen challenges on the open water.
