Two dead after the crash of a seaplane near Annette Island

Two people died after a DeHavilland Beaver operated by
Taquan Air descended near Metlakatla around 4 pm On Monday.

The pilot and a passenger were the only people on board
l & # 39; air. They will not be identified until the next of kin has been notified. the
cause of the accident is under investigation.

According to a press release from the Joint Information Center, a
The seine boat was the first on the scene of Monday's crash, followed by members of the
Volunteer Fire Department of Metlakatla. Other speakers included the US coast
Guard, Ketchikan volunteer rescue squad and good Samaritans.

Metlakatla resident Lindarae Shearer said she heard about
the accident of her husband, who called her shortly after 16 hours.

"(He) told me that a plane had returned to the bay,"
she says. "It's … in our waters, inside our borders. He descended into the
waters of Annette Island. "

Metlakatla is on Annette Island, the only Aboriginal settlement
Reserve. Annette is a quick trip by plane or ferry from Ketchikan.

Shearer said the local response was immediate.

"The police were there in force," she said. "All
The medical doctors were there at the floats, waiting for people to be brought
down. "

Shearer said she did not see the incident happen, but what about her?
watched the rescue efforts.

"I could see that the plane was upside down. The pontoons
were coming out of the water, "she said. "There were boats around. I suppose
they were trying to save people. "

Shearer runs an accommodation business and said one of the people
On board would stay with her for three nights.

She said the community was afflicted by the accident.

"We all feel it," she said. "The first thing we feel
is for the families of people that this tragedy has happened. "

This accident occurs exactly one week after a fatal accident in flight
involving a Taquan Air Otter and a Mountain Air Service Beaver, both
sightseeing. In this accident, six people died and 10 survived.

Taquan initially suspended all flights after May 13
crash, but later resumed regular service and charter between communities.