Locate Two People Fatally Injured Near St. Lucie Inlet

The Coast Guard along with partner agencies located the remains of two people involved in a downed aircraft incident Saturday approximately 20 miles east of St. Lucie Inlet.

The Miami Air Traffic Control Center notified Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders of a suspected downed aircraft at approximately 11:45 a.m. Saturday The pilot stated to the ARTCC he was changing course for weather avoidance and shortly after, they lost communication.

Coast Guard crews and partner agencies located a debris field approximately 20 miles east of St. Lucie Inlet and the sole two occupants of the aircraft deceased.

Assisting in the search were:

• St. Lucie County Marine Unit
• Martin County Sheriff's Office
• Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Miami Tow Boat
• Coast Guard Air Station MH-65 Dolphin helicopter
• Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement
• Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce 45-foot Response Boat—Medium
• Coast Guard Cutter Sawfish

Investigations or further inquiry into this matter will be conducted by the NTSB and the FAA.

(Source: USCG news release)

FMI: www.uscg.mil