Man, 63, killed when kayak capsizes off Sonoma County coast
A 63-year-old man died while kayaking off the Sonoma County coast, officials said late Wednesday.
Sgt. Cecile Focha of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said Joseph Patrick Woods of San Rafael was paddling with a friend off Goat Rock Beach near Jenner on Wednesday when both of their kayaks capsized in rough waters.
Focha says Woods’ companion made it back to the beach, where he told rescue crews he had seen his friend swimming toward shore and then lost sight of him.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter spotted a person in the ocean a little more than an hour later. The Coast Guard pulled Woods from the water, and he was pronounced dead at a nearby Coast Guard station.
Focha says the death was likely accidental but an investigation is ongoing.
ALSO:
Woman arraigned in deadly Vegas Strip crash; no plea entered
Caught on tape! Wild crows use tiny cameras to film themselves using tools
Vegas newspaper stands up to its newly unveiled owner, casino giant Sheldon Adelson
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
