Fishing Boat Accident Claims the Life of Young Father

A Willapa Bay fishing boat accident claims the life of a young father after the boat he was crabbing from flips over in rough waters. The incident took place at approximately 11:00 AM on Saturday morning, December 18, 2010, at the mouth of Willapa Bay.

According to reports, a Pacific County man lost his life after the vessel FV Ella Ann, in which he was Dungeness crabbing from, encountered high winds and rough waters and flipped over. The victim has been identified as Luis Perez, 34, of South Bend.

The Coast Guard Air Station launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to the scene after the skipper of the boat, Eric Petit, called 911. He reported that the boat had capsized and that both men were in the water without life jackets.

The Coast Guard was unable to locate Perez. Perez wasn’t discovered until the following Monday when his body was found by residents in Willapa Bay.

Pettit was located after waving to the helicopter crew. However, he was unresponsive when he was hoisted onto the helicopter. Rescue crews were able to revive him with CPR. He was taken to Willapa Harbor Hospital where he was treated and then released on Monday.

The fatal Willapa Bay crabbing accident is still under investigation by local authorities.