Tribal paddler dead after canoe overturns near Dungeness Spit

July 26th, 2006 - 9:13pm

(Dungeness) -- A man participating in the annual InterTribal Canoe Journey died after one of the crafts overturned on the Strait of Juan de Fuca Wednesday afternoon.

Killed was Chief Jerry Jack of Gold River, British Columbia.

Three people rescued by the Coast Guard were taken to Olympic Memorial Hospital for treatment of hypothermia.

Nursing supervisor Ann Fischer says a man and two women from the canoe were being evaluated.

She says all three people appeared to be fine. Coast Guard Petty Officer Shawn Eggert says the other two people aboard the canoe apparently did not require a trip to the hospital.

A Port Angeles-based helicopter and response boat were called to Dungeness Spit around 5:20 PM after a report of an overturned canoe with 6 people in the water.

Clallam County Undersheriff Rich Sill told Newsradio 1450 KONP that deputies and rangers at Dungeness Recreation Area observed 4 paddlers clinging to the overturned canoe and 2 more in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, north of Dungeness Spit.

He says the current and waves pushed them to shore.

The helicopter picked up 3 of the paddlers and transported them to an emergency medical staging area, then returned for 2 more.

Eggert says the 55-year old Jack was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Coast Guard says none of the crew members were wearing lifejackets.

The canoes left Port Angeles today for a scheduled stop at Jamestown Beach, near Sequim.

They are scheduled to arrive at Sand Point on Lake Washington in Seattle on Monday.

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