[Update] Medical Rescue Underway for Two Trapped in Sand Avalanche at the Samoa Dunes

Emergency personnel are being dispatched to a medical rescue call near New Navy Base Road and Samoa this afternoon around 1:49 p.m. A 911 caller told emergency dispatch that a woman was in need of medical assistance after a sand avalanche had “swallowed” her husband and trapped the woman. The 911 caller hung up as they attempted to assist the woman.

Emergency personnel from the surrounding area are en route to provide aid.

According to scanner traffic, there is concern that the situation may have resulted in a fatality.

Resources from Samoa, Arcata, and Cal Fire have been dispatched to the scene, along with deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Specialized equipment like a side-by-side UTV has been requested to access the couple.

Scanner traffic indicates there is one unknown age patient trapped under a sand avalanche “down at the dunes”. Subsequent traffic indicated the location to be at the “Samoa Power Pole beach”.

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.

Update 2:20 p.m.: The Coast Guard helicopter is en route to a nearby hospital with one patient; CPR is in progress.

Update 2:25 p.m.: A second patient was being evaluated by first responders at the scene.

Update: Man in Critical Condition After Sand Dune Collapse on Samoa Beach