Two Dead After Vessels Collide in Alaska

One person is dead after two vessels collided near Wrangell, Alaska Wednesday morning, authorities said.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska Command Center received a mayday call over VHF radio at approximately 8:52 a.m. reporting a person in the water.

A 58-foot fishing vessel collided with a 20-foot skiff, throwing one person from the skiff into the water, who was recovered by good Samaritans on-scene.

The U.S. Coast Guard and on-scene partner agencies commenced a search for the second person. The search effort included Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Wrangell Search and Rescue, Petersburg Search and Rescue, Coast Guard Cutter Elderberry (WLI-65401), Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Denman (WPC-1149), Alaska State Troopers, and numerous good Samaritans.

After multiple hours of searching, a Petersburg Search and Rescue diver found and later recovered the person deceased inside the sunken vessel.

"We offer our sincerest condolences to those affected by this terrible tragedy," said Coast Guard Lt. Katy Coppola, search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Southeast Alaska. "We send our thoughts and support to the family members at this time and thank our partner agencies and good Samaritans for their assistance in this case."