Coast Guard training prompt 911 calls in Alaska

[July 21, 2010]  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- To some 911 callers, it looked like a fiery plane crash just offshore of downtown Anchorage. Others thought it was a boat in trouble.

The Coast Guard was practicing shooting emergency flares during a rescue exercise Tuesday morning, but no one informed city authorities who hustled fire crews to the scene after getting as many as half a dozen reports from worried callers.

The Coast Guard says it won't happen again.

Petty Officer David Mosley says such yearly training exercises are usually conducted at a range at nearby Fort Richardson, but space was not available for Tuesday's flare practice.

[Associated Press; By RACHEL D'ORO]

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