1 boater missing, 1 injured after larger vessel hits skiff near Petersburg

A search is underway Wednesday for a missing boater near Petersburg, as well as another at a local hospital after a boating accident south of the city.

St. Petersburg Emergency Services Director Aaron Hankins said a larger vessel was believed to have struck a Hewescraft skiff around 9:45 a.m. Wednesday. The accident is believed to have occurred in the Wrangell Narrows, between Green Rocks and Blind Slough.

Hankins said a nearby boater allegedly pulled a second person from the water, who was turned over to Papke's Landing medics. This person is at the St. Petersburg Medical Center and is reported to have symptoms of hypothermia and minor injuries.

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeast is leading the search effort for the missing boater. The Petersburg and Wrangell search and rescue teams are both on scene, each accompanied by a diver. Alaska State Troopers and St. Petersburg police also responded, along with area Good Samaritans.

The identity of the boaters has not been released.

This is a developing story. Please check again for updates.