Boating accident victims identified

[DBunker]

Boating accident victims identified

Plaistow man dead, South Hampton man recovering

By Dave Choate
hamptonunion@seacoastonline.com
June 16, 2009 6:00 AM
and Shir haberman

HAMPTON — A 25-year-old man is dead and a 46-year-old man is recovering from hypothermia at Exeter Hospital following a boating accident that occurred Sunday night about 50 yards off Hampton Beach.
In a press release issued by the N.H. Marine Patrol Bureau Monday, the deceased was identified as Barry Arnold of Plaistow, and his cause of death was indicated as hypothermia/cardiac arrest. The man recovering in the hospital from hypothermia was identified as Christian Frey of South Hampton.
The release indicated the two men were thrown into the water after their 14-foot boat, the Sea Nymph, was struck by a wave. According to eyewitness accounts, the two men were standing up in the boat fishing when the wave hit and they were not wearing life vests at the time.
The men had been in the water for about 45 minutes before boats in the area were directed to them by people standing on shore, according to Marine Patrol Sgt. Cheryl Clancy.
Hampton Deputy Fire Chief Steve Benotti said calls from witnesses began pouring in shortly before 7 p.m. reporting the two people in the water off Concord Avenue.
Benotti said Hampton rescue personnel quickly dispatched their marine unit, a fire engine and an ambulance to the scene, and found people on a pair of small boats attempting to aid the boaters. Senior firefighter James Correll donned a life vest and swam out to help, according to the deputy chief.
Frey was pulled aboard the Hampton Fire rescue boat alive, but not breathing.
Correll, in pain from swimming to Frey in 56 degree waters, administered CPR to the man, fire officials said.
Benotti said that action saved the man's life.
"We got there just in the nick of time, you could say," he said.
Frey was transferred to land-based rescue units by way of the Hampton boat and taken to Exeter Hospital. He was listed in stable condition Monday morning, according to the Marine Patrol release.
Arnold was not immediately located Sunday night. Officials dispatched a Jayhawk helicopter from the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England at Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., and 25-foot boats from Coast Guard stations in Portsmouth Harbor and Merrimack River, Mass., to aid in the search for the Plaistow man.
Benotti said Arnold's body was seen in the water close to the beach around 8 p.m., about an hour after the search began. He was dragged to shore by a bystander, and emergency personnel administered CPR.
He was rushed to Exeter Hospital, according to Benotti, but late Sunday night the deputy chief reported the man had died.
Hampton police also provided assistance at the scene, according to Benotti.

[Coalman]

Stories like these remind me of foolish things I have done and accidents that have happened to me when I was on the water.

Please wear your life vest. It WILL save your life.

[oddfish]

Originally Posted by Coalman

Stories like these remind me of foolish things I have done and accidents that have happened to me when I was on the water.



Please wear your life vest. It WILL save your life.

That's a sad Story......I think I have seen that boat a few times.

Thanks. Always do even though I look like a dork in my bright yellow 1980's style jacket. Also keep a knife handy (on me) for rope wrap.

OD

[Roccus]

Having survived three close calls myself, I can relate to the tragedy... anytime I'm alone or in water over my head... I don the inflatable.. it is unobtrusive and has enough fish slime on it that it now blends in with my clothing.. if these guys were wearing life jackets.. the end result more than likely would be different..A sad and tragic end to a days fishing.