Sailor Killed In Redwood City Boating Accident Identified
REDWOOD CITY (CBS SF) - The man killed in a sailing accident Wednesday during a race near Redwood City has been identified as Yong Son of Burlingame, said an official at the San Mateo County Coroner's Office.
The 39-year-old was racing in the kickoff race for the weekly Beer Can regatta series sponsored by the Sequoia Yacht Club. Another sailor aboard Son's vessel was injured.
The mast of the 42-foot Catalina, named the Bella, snapped after the sailboat hit a lighted channel marker shortly before 7 p.m., said Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Mark Leahey.
"It was very shallow water," Leahey said. "Other race boats that were around and they couldn't get close enough."
Son and the other injured sailor were brought a shore by a US Geological Survey vessel in the area, whose crew performed CPR on Son, but were unable to revive him.
Three other sailors who were not hurt stayed on the Bella and brought it to shore.
Two years ago in April, a yacht racing crew based out of San Francisco suffered the Bay Area's deadliest yachting accident in 30 years. Five people aboard the Low Speed Chase were killed when their boat ran aground on the Farallones Islands, also participating in a regatta.
The incident Wednesday night is being investigated by the US Coast Guard and the Redwood City Police Department.