A Kenmore Air passenger seaplane crashed near the US-Canada border on Thursday, impacting a shoreline and catching fire before all 11 people on board successfully evacuated, according to the British newspaper Daily Star. Four occupants sustained severe injuries in the incident, which occurred amid strong regional storms.
Flight Timeline and Emergency Landing Details
The aircraft took off from Seattle’s Lake Union airport at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, bound for Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, according to Daily Star. Roughly an hour later, the flight was forced to make an emergency landing near Sucia Island within Washington state’s San Juan Islands. The collision with the shoreline happened shortly before 5:30 p.m. local time.
Evacuation and Post-Crash Fire
Thick smoke billowed from the fuselage immediately after the impact, and the aircraft rapidly caught fire, according to footage captured at the scene. Video recordings show passengers fleeing the damaged seaplane just before flames completely consumed the structure. Kenmore Air confirmed that 11 people were aboard the flight, consisting of 10 passengers and one pilot.
Injuries and Hospitalization Status
Four injured individuals were transported to hospitals with severe trauma, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. One person remains in critical condition. Victims suffered head injuries, bone fractures, and lacerations. The medical status of the remaining seven passengers has not been publicly released.
Did you know?
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were on board the Kenmore Air seaplane?
According to Kenmore Air, there were 11 people on board, including 10 passengers and one pilot.
Where did the plane crash?
The seaplane made an emergency landing and struck the shoreline near Sucia Island in Washington state’s San Juan Islands, close to the US-Canada border.
What caused the accident?
The official cause of the crash remains unknown, though reports note that strong storms were present in the region at the time of the incident.
What is the condition of the injured passengers?
Four people were hospitalized with severe injuries, including one person in critical condition who suffered head injuries, bone fractures, and lacerations, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
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