Jason Maris, PA-C, a physician assistant in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the Sports Medicine Center at Husky Stadium, was nearby on a boat when a seaplane crashed into the coast of Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands on Thursday.
Nearly a dozen nearby recreational boats sprang into action to assist with rescue efforts after the crash. Several medical professionals were among the individuals responding to the crash, including our own Jason Maris, PA-C. The plane included 11 passengers with some suffering concussions, cuts and broken bones, including a broken pelvis.
Jason utilized the foam in life jackets to fashion splints for injured passengers.
Quoted in the Seattle Times, the San Juan Island EMS commander commended the actions of the rescuers saying, "They significantly put themselves out of their own way to help other people, and it did make a difference."
Read more about Jason's rescue efforts at: Bystanders used life jackets as splints after the Kenmore Air crash.