US Coast Guard crew member dies in drowning accident
A U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer drowned after a Tuesday morning accident, authorities said.
Phoenix Hanna, 29, of Point Mugu, died of blunt force trauma to the base of his skull and terminal drowning, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. The office ruled his death an accident.
Lt. SondraKay Kneen, a Coast Guard spokesperson, confirmed that Hanna was a Coast Guard rescue swimmer with the service. Hanna was not on duty when the accident occurred, Kneen said.
She did not confirm if Hanna's death was connected to the Tuesday morning postponement of a commissioning ceremony for the new Coast Guard air station at Naval Base Ventura County.
Friends and colleagues posted salutes to Hanna across social media. One Instagram page — self-described as unofficial news, opinions and humor for Coast Guard rescue swimmers ― posted a short salute Wednesday along with a photo of a grinning swimmer in a wetsuit.
"We'll see you in the celestial lineup," the caption reads. "Rest easy, Phoenix."
Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: US Coast Guard rescue swimmer dies in drowning accident
