Cruise Boat Lawyers: O’Bryan Law
You take off work, scheduling a relaxing seven-day trip on the Princess Cruises. Sounds like the perfect getaway, doesn’t it? Unfortunately that wasn’t so for at least four people yesterday.
Two floatplanes, which were carrying Princess Cruises passengers, collided in flight on Monday, May 13th, 2019 off the coast of Alaska, leaving at least four people dead reported the Coast Guard. A floatplane comes equipped with floats or pontoons, allowing the craft to land on water, but unfortunately both aircrafts met one another midair. All of the passengers on both vessels came from the Royal Princess, a cruise ship which was on a seven-day trip, originating from Vancouver, B.C.
One of the floatplanes was flying a shore excursion, which was sold through Princess Cruises, was operated by Taquan Air, carrying the pilot and ten passengers.
The second aircraft was carrying the pilot and four passengers, who were also touring the area on an independent nature. Regrettably, three of the souls on board died, including the pilot.
On the Taquan Air floatplane one passenger died, and the other nine received medical attention after being rescued; however, the condition of the pilot was not released.
Two passengers remain unaccounted for, and “Rescue effort continue for the two other guests, one Australian and one Canadian,” reported Princess Cruises. According to the cruise line the two planes collided roughly eight nautical miles off Ketchikan, Alaska.
Because of the incident Taquan Air suspended all scheduled flights in order to concentrate on examining all aspects of the collision.
Princess Cruises released a statement, stating, “We are deeply saddened to report this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives, and the families of those impacted by today’s accident. Princess Cruises is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved.”
The Coast Guard worked quickly, scrambling a rescue mission after the crash, sending a helicopter crew and two response vessels. Even with the quick action of the Coast Guard lives were lost and one of the rescued patients, who were treated at PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center, remains in critical condition.
Good Samaritans have been aiding the Coast Guardsmen, volunteering in the search for those still missing. Coast Guard Petty Officer Jon-Paul Rios informed ABC News that, “Our crews are out there searching diligently alongside our partner agencies and some good Samaritans.” He added, “They’ve been searching throughout the day, by both air and by sea.”
The Coast Guard, the FAA, and the National Transportation Safety Board are all investigating the collision.
Can O’Bryan Law Help Me If I Am Injured On A Cruise Boat Excursion?
O’Bryan Law has the skill, the knowledge, and the experience it takes to navigate the tricky waters of cruise ship injury law. Cruise ship injury and illnesses cases can be among the most difficult cases to see through, and only O’Bryan has the talent you need to get the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free case consultation.
