SAR Becomes Medevac for Air Station Kodiak Crew

Jay Barrett/KMXT
An Air Station Kodiak helicopter crew over the weekend medevac’d three boaters to Bethel following their rescue by a local search and rescue team Saturday.
A Coast Guard C-130 found the skiff and three men after the village public safety officer in Chefornak reported them overdue. The Hercules crew located the stranded boaters on a sandbar about one-quarter mile from shore, north of the Ooksokwak River. At first a Jayhawk helicopter was called in to perform the rescue, but weather conditions improved enough that local rescuers were able to reach them.
The Jayhawk helicopter crew nevertheless evaluated the boaters, initially finding them to be in good condition, when one man began suffering from seizures. The Jayhawk crew immediately transported all three to Bethel.
Chief Petty Officer Joshua Ryan said the Coast Guard initially responded to the call as a search and rescue case and it became a medical evacuation.
Weather conditions on scene were reportedly 40 mph winds with gusts to 63 mph, 10-foot seas and overcast skies.