A boat has washed up near Fort Bragg’s Beachcomber Motel after capsizing. Reports from the scene indicate “one body washed up” associated with the boat and first responders at the scene are attempting CPR to revive the subject. Though details are vague, radio traffic indicates one subject is still in the water.
Scanner traffic began around 2:21 p.m. indicating a boat had capsized in the surf along the beach just south of the Beachcomber Motel.
Reports from the scene indicate one subject is still in the water.
First responders requested an air ambulance to the scene which is reportedly going to land on the beach. The Coast Guard has also deployed.
UPDATE 2:47 p.m.: Scanner traffic indicates that the boat did not actually wash up on shore, but broke apart and disappeared underwater.
UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: The following video of a rescue helicopter landing at scene was sent to us by a bystander:
UPDATE 4:00 p.m.: Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall told us the incident began this afternoon off of Pudding Creek Beach when a boat containing “an unknown amount of people” broke up in the surf.
One subject washed ashore, Sheriff Kendall said, and after first responders commenced CPR that subject was transported via air ambulance to Howard Hospital in Willits.
At this point, rescuers are unclear about the amount of people who were on the boat when the initial capsizing incident took place and their ongoing rescue efforts are hindered by an increasing swell.
Sheriff Kendall asked the public to practice caution if they are on the shoreline or on the water.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
