Coast Guard investigates rescue swimmer’s deadly fall as household mourns

SEATTLE — A U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer has died after being injured whereas on a medical evacuation mission off the Washington coast.

But earlier than he handed away Thursday night, two poignant ceremonies had been held on his behalf: His accomplice posted on social media that she had accepted a hospital-room wedding ceremony proposal carried out by his household.

And the Coast Guard awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of many highest navy awards for heroism throughout flight, as his household and crewmates watched.

The rescue swimmer, Tyler Jaggers, was additionally promoted to petty officer 2nd class.

“He demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of danger, upholding the highest standards of courage and excellence for Coast Guard operations,” Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard, mentioned in an announcement Friday. “We honor his selfless actions and unwavering devotion to our highest calling: to save others.”

Jaggers was a part of an Astoria, Oregon-based crew that responded Feb. 27 to move a stroke sufferer from a industrial vessel 120 nautical miles (222 nautical km) off the Washington coast, the Coast Guard mentioned.

The company didn’t specify what occurred, citing an ongoing investigation. But based on Rick McElrath, board president and founding father of the Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Association, Jaggers fell as he was being lowered to the deck from a helicopter. The affiliation is a nonprofit devoted to serving to Coast Guard aviation veterans.

Jaggers had been on life assist, the affiliation mentioned. He was handled at hospitals in Victoria, British Columbia, and at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Seattle. He died Thursday night, the Coast Guard reported.

Jaggers joined the Coast Guard in January 2022 and had served in Astoria since 2024. The Department of Homeland Security had beforehand acknowledged him for superior efficiency as a crew member aboard U.S. Coast Guard cutter Legare throughout operations within the Caribbean, the Coast Guard mentioned.

The Coast Guard mentioned it’s conducting an investigation into the reason for his accidents.

The Canadian Coast Guard subsequently responded to evacuate the stroke sufferer, McElrath mentioned.

In a submit on social media Thursday, Jaggers’ accomplice described how she turned his fiancee: While at his hospital bedside, his dad positioned the ring on her hand.

“What I didn’t realize was that he had recently told some of his closest buddies that he was getting ready to propose,” Cassandra Weaver wrote. “So yesterday, surrounded by the people who love him most, his family carried out the proposal on Tyler’s behalf.”

Her submit included images of her hand — with the brand new engagement ring — holding his, and touching his Coast Guard uniform.

“I always told him I didn’t care if he proposed with a Ring Pop,” she wrote. “I said yes.”