Coast Guard rescues two in York River

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - An off-duty Coast Guard member is being credited with helping to save two people stranded in the York River after their sailboat capsized Wednesday.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Lt. Anthony Baird spotted the capsized boat while riding his bike along the York River around 7:30 p.m. Baird was attending a search and rescue school in Yorktown at the time and is a member of Coast Guard San Diego.

Baird contacted watchstanders, who then dispatched a crew from Coast Guard Station Milford Haven in Hudgins to the scene. The Coast Guard said Baird continued to help the Response Boat - Small crew in finding the boat.

There, the crew rescued two people said to be clinging to the hull of the boat. Both were taken to Wormley Creek Marina in Yorktown in good condition.

"As a Coast Guard member seeing someone in distress, Baird took appropriate actions to get the people in the water the assistance they needed," Jeff Fox, a search and rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads said. "In this situation, both people were wearing life jackets, which always improves the chances of survivial."