Plane crashes off Sucia Island in San Juans; 11 rescued

A Kenmore Air seaplane crash off Sucia Island in Washington state resulted in 11 survivors after the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter went down Thursday evening. The aircraft, flying from Seattle to Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands, made an emergency landing in Shallow Bay at about 5:15 p.m., then caught fire, according to Kenmore Air and the U.S. Coast Guard. Four people were injured, including one in critical condition, with others transported to Bellingham medical facilities and Orcas Island for evaluation. Authorities said injuries ranged from head injuries to broken bones and lacerations. Weather at the time included thunderstorms, 12–20 mph gusts, and about 10-mile visibility. Kenmore Air, which operates 25 aircraft and carries more than 90,000 passengers annually, activated emergency response procedures and said it would not speculate on the cause while responding to authorities.