Winchester Bay Boating Mishap on Oregon Coast Claims Life of Medford Man
A boating accident on the Oregon Coast claimed the life of a Medford man late last week.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reports 9-1-1 dispatchers received an alert regarding a boating mishap in Winchester Bay last Thursday at about 2 p.m..
As deputies were responding, the United States Coast Guard advised they located an overturned boat with subjects in the water. USGS personnel were able to rescue two subjects from the water, but a third individual was still missing.
Deputies learned 63-year-old James McKeane of Medford had been fishing with his son -- 36-year-old Kenneth McKeane of Central Point -- and a neighbor -- 35-year-old Anthony Knight of Medford.
After a few hours of ocean fishing, James McKeane was returning to the dock due to weather conditions in his 2020 Kingfisher boat. While progressing into the bay, a large wave crashed into the left side of the boat, causing it to roll over. All three occupants went into the water without lifejackets. The vessel eventually capsized.
James McKeane and Knight were pulled from the water by the Coast Guard. Lifesaving efforts were initiated on Knight who was unconscious. Both James and Knight were transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital for medical treatment. Efforts to revive Knight were unsuccessful and he was pronounced deceased.
Kenneth McKeane was later located by USGS helicopter on the North Jetty and was airlifted from there to North Bend Hospital.
The fatal accident is under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Marine Division working in coordination with the Oregon State Marine Board.
Posted on 9/9/24 6:31AM by Sam Marsh
