||| FROM ACTING CHIEF CHAD KIMPLE for ORCAS FIRE & RESCUE |||
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office (SJCSO) received a 911 call for suspicious circumstances in the Massacre Bay area on 8/8/2024. The reporting party was from across the bay and heard possible yelling of ‘Help’. The deputy responded to investigate and attempt to locate the call for help. No signs of distress could be found in the area from land. SJCSO deployed their boat to search from the water.
During the deployment of the Sheriff’s Boat, SJCSO dispatch received a report of a missing person.
Sheriff’s boat located a wrecked vehicle on the shoreline, partially in the water in the 1500 block of Deer Harbor Road. The deputy confirmed that the vehicle matched the missing person’s report.
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue personnel made patient contact and initiated treatment. The patient was brought up the embankment via Stokes basket and rope assistance.
Deer Harbor Road was closed to all vehicle traffic during rescue operations for approximately one hour.
The patient was transported via Island Air to a mainland hospital for traumatic injuries.
On 8/9/2024, SJCSO, OIFR, and Orcas Towing recovered the vehicle. Small amounts of fuel and oil spilled into the bay. The quantity was not enough to have IOSA respond. SJC Emergency Management and WA Dept. of Ecology have been notified of the small fluid spill.
No injuries to first responders or the public during this incident.
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