Lewes- The Delaware State Police are currently conducting a death investigation related to a boating accident that occurred yesterday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
The incident occurred on May 19, 2019, at approximately 3:49 p.m. when units were dispatched to the Angola Beach Marina located within the Angola Beach Mobile Home Park in Lewes, in reference to a death investigation related to a boating accident.
The investigation revealed that at approximately 10:00 a.m., two friends were traveling in a 16’ aluminum Jon boat. While traveling in the Bay, returning from the area of the Inlet, their 16’ boat was capsized by the suspected combination of choppy seas and wake from two passing boats, said Jaffe. As a result, the two passengers were ejected from the boat into the Bay. They were both able to obtain life vest and hold on to the partially submerged vessel.
It was reported that after being in the water for some time, one of the passengers lost consciousness for unknown reasons. A passing boat(this is believed to be the pontoon boat that wer reported yesterday) observed the two in distress and was able to transport them to the Angola Beach Marina.
The victim, a 73-year-old male from Laurel was pronounced deceased at the scene. His name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin and extended family. The Delaware Division of Forensic Science was contacted to remove the victim and to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Officials with the Indian River Fire Company released a short statement on their Facebook Page “IRVFC along with several other agencies are currently assisting Rehoboth Beach Vol Fire Co with a water rescue in the Rehoboth Bay. Units found a vessel had overturned in the water.
Breaking Report
Angola – Just after 3:30 this afternoon, rescue crews from the Rehoboth Beach, Indian River, and Bethany Beach Fire Companies along with Sussex County Medics and DSP Trooper 2 responded to Rehoboth Bay for a water rescue.
Reports from the scene indicate that a pontoon boat overturned and two people were seriously injured or killed.