Needless tragedy

[tomdinwv]

Went for a drive last Sunday with the wife and passed an are called Kanawha Falls. Area was roped off with police tape, fire department and DNR rescue boats were out on water. When we got home we watched the local news and found out what happened. Tragic. Four men were out fishing on a boat Saturday evening (Father,son, uncle and cousin) when severe thunderstorms started coming through the area. They were on their way to take the boat out of the water when, for reasons I don't know, the boat sank. Three of the men managed to make it to the shore of a little island there below the falls. They said they could hear the forth man yelling for help but I guess with the storm they could not see or help him. They recovered the body Sunday evening. He was 16 years old.
We were out on our boat on Saturday about 30 miles down river when the same storm approched the area. We managed to get out of the water before it got bad. I can't help but think this tragedy may have been avoided if the young man had been wearing a PFD. My sympathy and prayers go out to this young man's family.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Needless tragedy

So the two adults just swam off without making sure everyone was okay? Nice parent..

What happened to the PFDs? Did they not have any with them?

Needless is right. Could have been easily avoided with a little firethought and some men who understand they shouldn't be outliving their kid. Heck, I've jumped into a frozen pond to save my dog and this guy just leaves his kid to drown

 

[jonesg]

Re: Needless tragedy

Required reading for the fools who think you don't need a bilgepump or bailer for a small boat if you're only going out on a lake.

 

[skargo]

Re: Needless tragedy

Wear your fawkin PFDs people

It's really sad it has to be mandated in most states that people wear seatbelts/helmets, but what's even more sad in states without helmet laws 90% of the people don't wear helmets. Same goes for PFDs on the water, I see most people looking cool while underway with no PFDs.

I think we should remove all laws and let nature take it's course.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Needless tragedy

Wear your fawkin PFDs people

It's really sad it has to be mandated in most states that people wear seat belts/helmets, but what's even more sad in states without helmet laws 90% of the people don't wear helmets. Same goes for PFDs on the water, I see most people looking cool while underway with no PFDs.

I think we should remove all laws and let nature take it's course.

as long as the law makes them responsible for their medical care no fault because of their negligence to self protect with a helmet and seat belt.

 

[oops!]

Re: Needless tragedy

we lost another one on our lake just the other day,,,

i heard a cop say something that needs repeating...

if you arent going to wear your pfd's make sure they are in reaching distance....in the open where you can get it in a hurry....not stuffed in a locker or under a b2b seat...
when an emergency comes up ...you think very basic thoughts.....like, grab on to somthing to stop you from going over......if you have the presence of mind and see your pfd.....at least you have a chance to grab it.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Needless tragedy

So the two adults just swam off without making sure everyone was okay? Nice parent..

What happened to the PFDs? Did they not have any with them?

Needless is right. Could have been easily avoided with a little firethought and some men who understand they shouldn't be outliving their kid. Heck, I've jumped into a frozen pond to save my dog and this guy just leaves his kid to drown

You're assuming an awful lot about the dad and about the scenario. It might be better to let the survivors tell what happened and how the teenager became separated from the group.

As for the others who say - "wear your PFD," this is a classic example of why.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Needless tragedy

this is expensive, but i would not be without it. inflatable life belt, wears easy. it is an automatic, full vest, you just pull it over your head.

 

[skargo]

Re: Needless tragedy

this is expensive, but i would not be without it. inflatable life belt, wears easy. it is an automatic, full vest, you just pull it over your head.

We debated over those, but decided on suspender type automatic vests, just in case of unconsciousness.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Needless tragedy

We debated over those, but decided on suspender type automatic vests, just in case of unconsciousness.

I agree, this would not be my choice.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Needless tragedy

i have the automatic vest on board, for when i am alone.