NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
April 22, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 173
Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement officers were among the responders who rescued four people after their boat capsized on Sunday morning, April 20.
According to Agent First Class Brian D. Pollock, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, about 10:30 a.m., two adults and two children, ages 10 and 12, set out in a 12-foot, flat bottom jon-boat from the Woodland Beach boat ramp for a fishing trip. About an hour later, an approaching storm brought high winds that made the water choppy.
The small boat began taking on water and capsized, throwing all four occupants into the water, Pollock said, according to the victims' accounts after they were rescued. They clung to the boat until they drifted to a marshy island and sought refuge in a duck blind to await rescue. However, they were unable to call for help due to damaged cell phones and the loss of all their safety equipment.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., an overdue vessel report was called in, and Fish and Wildlife officers, Delaware State Police, Smyrna Police, Citizens Hose Company of Smyrna and the Leipsic Fire Department responded, along with a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter out of Atlantic City, N.J., Pollock said. Around midnight, the helicopter located the victims on the island using a spotlight.
Fish and Wildlife officers brought the children ashore, while the two fire departments rescued the adults. The children were wearing life jackets; the adults were not. All four were transported to Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, treated for dehydration and minor exposure, and released, Pollock said.
Fish and Wildlife officers retrieved the boat on Monday afternoon, April 21.
