One dead after boat capsizes off La Push

Published 10:02 pm Tuesday, May 13, 2008

SEATTLE — One man died after he and two other people were pulled from the Pacific Ocean when their boat capsized off La Push, according to the Coast Guard.

Charter fishing boats in the area pulled the three men from the water Tuesday morning, and they were flown by U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard helicopters to Forks Community Hospital.

One of the men, 71 years old, was declared dead at the hospital. His name and hometown were not immediately available.

The Coast Guard said there were 13-foot seas and fog at the scene where a halibut fishing derby was under way.

Two other boats in the area also required assistance from the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard dropped a pump to a 22-foot boat that was taking on water with four people aboard. After the boat was stabilized, a motor lifeboat from the Coast Guard’s Quillayute River station towed the boat to shore.

And a 26-foot boat that lost power in heavy seas, except for a small kicker engine, was also towed to La Push.