[UPDATE 8 p.m.] Searchers for Missing Pilot Vow to Work Until Dark Though Heat and Wind Are Taking Their Toll

Humboldt COunty Sheriff's boat.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s boat on the Eel River today near McCann. [Image provided by Southern Humboldt County Technical Rescue Team]

As residents reported temperatures climbing to over 100° in some areas of Southern Humboldt today, teams of rescuers searched along the main stem of the Eel River near McCann for a local pilot missing since his ultralight plane went down before 11 this morning.

At 5 p.m. we reached Diana Totten of the Southern Humboldt County Technical Rescue Team which had eight of its swift water rescue crew out on the Eel doing their best to find the missing man. Totten explained the team was working with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue boat. Her crew, she said, had “swimmers in the water checking all the back eddies.”  They also had crew members in a rubber raft searching in a two-mile section around the ultralight plane’s wreckage.

Totten said that the pilot’s seat belt had been unlatched. It is possible, she said, that the pilot had managed to bail from the plane and was injured somewhere. However, she worried that the Eel River was running with “its spring flow” and was very swift and dangerous.

Family members and private citizens were still searching as were Totten’s crew and the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team though the Coast Guard and its helicopter had returned to base.

Totten said the crews were determined to keep searching even though the wind was “blowing really hard” and some team members were exhausted with the heat and then the wind as well as the hard work. “We’re going to work til dark,” she vowed.

UPDATE 8 p.m.: Diana Totten tells us that the search is suspended for tonight but, she said, “We will continue the search tomorrow morning…This is a local tragedy. It’s one of the local guys we all grew up with. We’re going to stick with it.”

Totten said some family and friends were still searching the riverbank as dark approached hoping to find their loved one.

Meanwhile, the Southern Humboldt County Technical Rescue Team will go back to their base, spread out their wetsuits to dry, and prepare to head out tomorrow morning. Hopefully, they will get a hot meal (as they had only snacks for lunch and dinner) and a good sleep.

“It’s going to be a late night and an early morning,” Totten said.

Earlier Chapter: UltraLight Plane Crashes in Eel Near McCann; Rescuers Search for Local Pilot

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24 Comments
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guest
Guest
guest
6 years ago

gee whiz!!!

Anon
Guest
Anon
6 years ago

<3 lots of love to Diana Totten and the Southern Humboldt County Technical Rescue Team!!
Going above and beyond the line of duty!!
Hope the pilot is found soon.

Tired of the crime
Guest
Tired of the crime
6 years ago

Do they need volunteers to assist with search teams?

Gma flowers
Guest
Gma flowers
6 years ago

Yes..there has been minimal help from law enforcement..and most help has been community-based..search efforts began again this morning..prayers…

Cove family
Guest
Cove family
6 years ago

I love you buddy we’re pulling for you over here. I hope you come home safely to the arms of your family❤️

Leilu
Guest
Leilu
6 years ago

We are beyond lucky to have these dedicated volunteers, the technical search and rescue go above and beyond every time.
Hoping he is found safe and well soon!!!

Guest,
Guest
Guest,
6 years ago

Hopefully sense the seat belt was unbuckled they are ok and just trying to get help, I don’t think anyone would jump from a flying aircraft on purpose.

Joe
Guest
Joe
6 years ago

My hat gos off to the southern Humbolt rescue.these volunteers providing a outstanding service to sohum.and are good friends of mine.keep up the great work you all …

Hoping for the best
Guest
Hoping for the best
6 years ago

A great way to help out is to keep the technical rescue folks well fed and watered!!
Im sure our local food haunts would be glad to take payment over the phone for some meals for these folks, sponsor a rescuer 🙂

Cheers to hope
Guest
Cheers to hope
6 years ago

Are there any agencies available with heat seeking technology that could fly around tonite?? Just curious, its something I assume we have in the county. Maybe they only use that for finding fugitives. Tracking dogs? That would be a good investment for our county, they are very useful in earthquakes as well.

Being that hot today he could have gotten under trees to cool down and is most likely in shock, potentially passed out. Am picturing him alive and ok, praying hes found soon

Veterans friend
Guest
Veterans friend
6 years ago
Reply to  Cheers to hope

CHP does have heat seeking tech.
Why are they not helping?

Cheers to hope
Guest
Cheers to hope
6 years ago

Thank you!! Im wondering why not as well.
The lack of assistance from police agencied is horrible and an ongoing problem. And they wonder why no one wants to pay taxes, we’re paying for something we’re not getting.

Maija
Guest
Maija
6 years ago
Reply to  Cheers to hope

This is exactly what I was thinking last night?!?

Hello
Guest
Hello
6 years ago

Thanks Jason Humphry for getting your riverboat there and looking for Rex. You’re awesome

Jennifer Davis
Guest
Jennifer Davis
6 years ago
Reply to  Hello

Yes thank u!! #FindRex

Hello
Guest
Hello
6 years ago

Also a big thanks to Colby Edgins and Kyle Harrison for being in the water.

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago

I hope s/he’s okay and parachuted to safety. Hopefully pilots can cruise the course s/he flew and search for tangled chutes. Prayers!

MOGTX
Guest
6 years ago

Look up in the trees in the surrounding areas. Just a hunch .

Hello
Guest
Hello
6 years ago
Reply to  MOGTX

Truly not being a smart ass but f**k I never thought of that look up quit looking down good idea

J
Guest
J
6 years ago
Reply to  MOGTX

I was just thinking that too. If his parachute has him stuck in a tree he could still be just fine. Sending so many prayers he is OK and hydrated enough to make it till they find him. Maybe he was just unconscious yesterday and today he can call for help!!

Hello
Guest
Hello
6 years ago

He was an ultralight plane. Not like a hang glider

Humboldtlifer
Guest
Humboldtlifer
6 years ago

Praying for his safe recovery. Love and prayers to family!🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

guest
Guest
guest
6 years ago

Need to get a drone in the air. Prayers!

Laura
Guest
Laura
6 years ago

Sending love and prayers to you and your family, here’s hoping that you will be found and back with your family. You were a great friend to me when my other half was gone for that time, you helped me get things done and I am so ever thankful. Your a good man, please god help this man find his way home.