SAN NICOLAS ISLAND : Man, 31, Dies After Vessel Capsizes

A 31-year-old man died Wednesday after a 48-foot commercial fishing vessel capsized south of San Nicolas Island, throwing two men and a dog into the water, authorities said.

Earl Thomas Butler II probably drowned when the Jeanie M., harbored in Los Angeles County, flipped over and sank, authorities said. An autopsy on Butler, who was from Huntington Beach or San Pedro, was scheduled for today, the Ventura County coroner’s office said.

The other man on the boat, identified as James A. Cornwell Jr., survived the accident.

Authorities said they were alerted to the emergency by crew members of the fishing vessel Aayay, who saw that the Jeanie M. had flipped over and was sinking.

The U.S. Navy at Point Mugu responded to the scene first, with a helicopter that took Butler, who was unconscious and floating face down in the water, to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, authorities said. Butler arrived at St. John’s at 12:32 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 12:35 p.m., hospital officials said.

Coast Guard Lt. Harry Allen said Cornwell had been trapped in the boat but fought his way to the surface.

He was taken by helicopter to San Nicolas Island, where he was treated for hypothermia at a Navy dispensary, authorities said. Once his body temperature was stabilized, he was taken to San Pedro Peninsula Hospital, where he was in fair condition, authorities said.

Another Navy helicopter picked up the dog and two rescue swimmers, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jim Milbury said.

Authorities said they did not know what caused the accident but noted that the waves were large, cresting at 12 feet. In addition, winds gusted at about 35 m.p.h. and the water temperature was 58 degrees.