Twenty-two people, including school children, were rescued from a sinking boat in the Chesapeake Bay Wednesday evening.
The rescue happened around 6 p.m. when a charter boat taking children on a field trip hit something submerged in the waters off Bloodsworth Island.
Images of the sunken vessel off Bloodsworth Island, from which 22 were rescued. Via MSP Trooper 4 pic.twitter.com/WWBbEEAzLa
— MD NRP (@MDNRPolice) June 2, 2016
Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Candy Thomson said the children put on life jackets as the boat went down. A nearby waterman pulled all 22 passengers onto his vessel and dropped them safely on the bank of the Honga River.
The unconscious captain of the stricken boat was airlifted to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Two others were taken to Easton General Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.
The Coast Guard is leading the investigation with assistance from Department of Natural Resources Police.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker issued the following statement after the accident:
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon a Chesapeake Bay Foundation boat apparently struck a submerged object west of Bloodsworth Island. There were 23 students, parents, teachers, and staff on board.
All were rescued. Five individuals were taken to nearby hospitals, mostly with bumps and bruises. The others were taken to the Easton hospital to be checked for any possible injuries. All involved have been discharged.
“CBF will conduct a review of the incident and cooperate with the Coast Guard in their investigation.
