Rescue

Quick Response by Island Air Helps to Save Crash Victim

On March 29, 2005, an airplane departing Blakely Island suddenly crashed into the water off the East side of Orcas Island. Island Air's Bob Jamieson, Jackie Hamilton, and Tom Schramm worked quickly to respond, and Tom was able to locate survivor Jesse Vangolen struggling to stay afloat off the shores of Point Lawrence. While Coast Guard helicopters and boats from the Sherriff's department rushed to the scene, Tom circled overhead, marking Vangolen's location. About ten minutes later, a barely conscious Vangolen was pulled into a boat by the Juan County Sherriff.

Island Air is proud to be of service to our community.

For complete coverage of this story, see this excerpt from The San Juan Islander, 3/30/05