McKinleyville, Calif. – Early this morning, a Coast Guard helicopter recovered the body of a man from the mouth of the Klamath River.
At 3:15 a.m., the Coast Guard was notified of a boat leaving the mouth of the Klamath River which quickly disappeared from view. A Del Norte County Sherriff’s beach patrol and Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter searched for the boat. At 8:06 a.m., the helicopter found the man wearing jeans and long sleeved shirt, with no lifejacket.
The helicopter returned to Air Station Humboldt Bay with the man, where the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office declared him dead.
All mariners are encouraged to use caution, especially when operating watercraft at night. Proper equipment, such as a well-fitted lifejacket, is critical to survival in the cold, turbulent waters of the north pacific.
The Del Norte County Sherriff’s Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
