06-03-2014, 11:18 AM
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard suspended its search Saturday for two men in the Rappahannock River near Tappahannock after divers with the Virginia Marine Police recovered the bodies.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased," said Capt. John Little, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads.
A good Samaritan noticed a capsized vessel in the Rappahannock River from his home and got underway aboard his boat to assist. Once he arrived on scene, he was able to rescue a man from the water.
The rescued man stated two additional men were missing and not wearing life jackets. Once the good Samaritan and the survivor arrived on shore, they called 911 to report the missing men. Shortly after, the survivor reportedly suffered a heart attack and was taken to a hospital in Richmond.
An emergency dispatcher contacted Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders at approximately 10 a.m. reporting a 15-foot boat had capsized in the Rappahannock River.
Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast, launched crews aboard two 25-foot Response Boat - Smalls from Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, diverted two Coast Guard Auxiliary boats and an aircraft and requested an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., to search. A fire department boatcrew from Lancaster County and divers with the Virginia Marine Police also assisted in the search.
VMRC divers located the bodies of the missing men at approximately 3:30 p.m. near the capsized boat.
It was previously reported that Station Milford Haven responded with a 25-foot Response Boat - Small and a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water. The station responded with two 25-foot Response Boat - Smalls
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased," said Capt. John Little, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads.
A good Samaritan noticed a capsized vessel in the Rappahannock River from his home and got underway aboard his boat to assist. Once he arrived on scene, he was able to rescue a man from the water.
The rescued man stated two additional men were missing and not wearing life jackets. Once the good Samaritan and the survivor arrived on shore, they called 911 to report the missing men. Shortly after, the survivor reportedly suffered a heart attack and was taken to a hospital in Richmond.
An emergency dispatcher contacted Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders at approximately 10 a.m. reporting a 15-foot boat had capsized in the Rappahannock River.
Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast, launched crews aboard two 25-foot Response Boat - Smalls from Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, diverted two Coast Guard Auxiliary boats and an aircraft and requested an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., to search. A fire department boatcrew from Lancaster County and divers with the Virginia Marine Police also assisted in the search.
VMRC divers located the bodies of the missing men at approximately 3:30 p.m. near the capsized boat.
It was previously reported that Station Milford Haven responded with a 25-foot Response Boat - Small and a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water. The station responded with two 25-foot Response Boat - Smalls