Seaplane crashes into waters near Lopez Island; 4 rescued

LOPEZ ISLAND, Wash. – Boaters rescued a male pilot and three passengers after their seaplane crashed in the waters off Lopez Island Friday morning.

The U.S. Coast Guard said boaters aboard the vessel Northern Rose rescued one woman and three men, and took them to Friday Harbor on nearby San Juan Island, about 90 miles north of Seattle. Medics treated the four for injuries and hypothermia.

The float plane, which can take off and land on water, was operated by Kenmore Air.

Company operations director John Gowey said the plane left from its dock at Seattle’s South Lake Union for the 45-minute flight to the San Juan Islands. Its first stop was to be Lopez Island. The crash happened at about 8:50 a.m.

The Coast Guard said its crews were notified by the vessel and Kenmore Air shortly afterward.