A deceased child has been recovered from a floatplane that crashed in Washington’s Puget Sound near Seattle on Sunday afternoon, as Coast Guard personnel continue to search for nine missing adults.
The U.S. Coast Guard for the Pacific Northwest first received reports around 3 p.m. that a floatplane had plunged west of Mutiny Bay, Whidbey Island, according to a news release.
“Today after 3 p.m. the Coast Guard and multiple partner agencies began extensive search efforts for nine adults and one child aboard a floatplane that crashed in Mutiny Bay, just off Whidbey Island,” the U.S. Coast Guard for the Pacific Northwest said on Facebook.
The child’s body was recovered by witnesses and first responders, the agency added.
South Whidbey Fire and Emergency Service initially reported that personnel from local agencies were on scene.
“South Whidbey Fire/EMS marine crews along with North Whidbey Fire marine units, Kitsap County Fire marine units, NAS Whidbey SAR and USCG units just arrived in area of a floatplane crash in Puget Sound west of Mutiny Bay, Whidbey Island. This is a developing story,” the agency said.
The floatplane was en route to Renton Municipal Airport after departing Friday Harbor.
Good Samaritans ‘Rushed’ to Help
The Coast Guard for the Pacific Northwest thanked nearby good Samaritans and first responders from South Whidbey Fire, Island County Sheriff’s Officers, and Snohomish County Sheriff’s office who were first to attempt to help at the scene.
“The Coast Guard sends a heartfelt thanks to the good Samaritans who rushed toward the crash and were first on scene. This is an evolving situation, and we are grateful for the multi-agency support from local and state partners. The hearts of all responders go out tonight to the family and friends of those aboard,” the agency said.
“A surface safety zone has been placed around the scene of the crash.”
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
“The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate,” the FAA said in a statement obtained by ABC News. “The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates.”
According to NTSB, the aircraft was a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter floatplane.
