Father Dies While Kayaking With Son Off Mendocino Coast
Russian Gulch. [By Jason Hollinger – Russian Gulch Uploaded by Amada44 via WikiCommons ]
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Captain Greg Van Patton provided preliminary information about the situation, saying the father and son had traveled from Ukiah and launched into the ocean in separate kayaks or possibly a two-person kayak.
After being struck by the wave, Captain Van Patton said the son was able to “make it out of the water” while his “father was unable to do so” succumbing to a likely drowning at the scene.
Captain Van Patten added that it is unknown at this point whether the father and son were wearing life jackets when the incident occurred.
Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Pisias told us that first responders abandoned plans to conduct a body recovery utilizing a helicopter. Rather, the father was transported to Russian Gulch Beach using a boat where first responders met the coroner for transport.
Pisias told us this “all hands on deck” response is typical for water rescue situations. He added, “We are fortunate to have a couple of State Parks lifeguards and Adventist Health nurses in the department. They were first to him.”
Scanner traffic from yesterday afternoon described multiple agencies responding to the incident including the United States Coast Guard, California State Parks, the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Reach Air Ambulance, and Sonoma County’s Henry 1 Helicopter.
Earlier: Water Rescue Underway on the Coast in Mendocino County
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Thank you responders for your compassion and bravery. I’m deeply saddened by the loss of the family’s father and friend.
Thank you to all of our first responders. This has to be terribly hard to witness. Sending condolences to those who lost a family member and friend, and I can’t imagine how hard it was for the survivor who lost his father. Tell and show the people in your world that you love them every day.
A day of father and son kayaking turned tragic in the blink of an eye. I am so very sorry the son lost his father in that accident. May he RIP. Condolences to his son and all his family members and friends. The first responders put their life on the line trying to save the father, only to have him pass away. I know losing him will weigh heavily on their minds and hearts for some time to come. For many, death is a real bitter pill to swallow. God bless all those who tried so hard and know that you are all loved.
Absolutely tragic.
Who??
Unknown if they were wearing life jackets? I would think that even with average waves a life vest would prevent drowning.
They make special life jackets for people to wear when using a kayak in a river, pond, ocean, etc. If it is not already required by law to wear a life jacket it sure should be. I mean no harm to the father that lost his life in any way. Just hope it might save someone else.