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2 Deaths Sacandaga Lake this Weekend

3075 Views 9 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  aquaforce, 
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Passenger dies in boating accident; police say driver was intoxicated

54-year-old Broadalbin man died in a boating accident on the Great Sacandaga Lake over the weekend after police say the driver of the boat operated while intoxicated.

Police say 49-year-old Richard Wells of Broadalbin was driving a 16-feet bass boat with four passengers on board at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Wells was operating the boat at a high rate of speed when he suddenly slowed and attempted to turn into the wake, police say.

That sharp turn caused two of the boat's occupants, including 54-year-old Charles Speakman, to fall overboard.

While one of the men tossed overboard was able to swim back to the boat, police say, Speakman fell unconscious in the water. Speakman was brought back on to the boat, and the other passengers attempted to revive him while bringing him back to the shore.

Speakman was transported to Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy later determined he died of asphyxia due to drowning.

Police say all the boat's occupants had been drinking alcohol just before the crash.

Wells had a BAC of .14 and was arrested for boating while intoxicated.

Police also determined the boat had been overweighted and over capacity with all five passengers on board.
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Man drowns at Great Sacandaga Lake

A 30-year-old Westerlo man drowned at the Great Sacandaga Lake Saturday after his arms gave out while swimming, State Police say.

Christian Petrocine had moored his boat 100 feet off Beacon Island, and was swimming to shore with a 16-year-old acquaintance when he began to tire.

He started flailing his arms before he went under the water, police say.

Petrocine was found in water seven feet deep by another boater, and was taken to shore.

Fulton County Ambulance took over CPR when they arrived at the scene and transported Petrocine to Nathan Littaeur Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy showed Petrocine died as a result of accidental drowning due to cardiac arrhythmia
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GRH
:( :(
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U
:(

Be careful out there folks.
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C
That's too bad! :unhappy1:

Good opportunity to remind all parents to put their kids thru swimming lessons and advanced courses if possible. You never know when that experience may save their or your life ! I took classes all the way thru advanced lifesavings and feel lucky that my parents forced me to go beyond my will...well, for first few years, then I actually enjoyed it.
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RSCHAP1
Be safe. Sympathies to those mentioned and the families :(
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S
God, that is terrible. I remember when I was in high school, a classmate died the same way swimming to the same island.
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Super24
That's sad. I don't think I've ever seen five people in a bass boat?
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jb
Super24 said:
That's sad. I don't think I've ever seen five people in a bass boat?
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Thats just what I thought.... heck its gotta be tough staying in that ride if your not in a bucket in front
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aquaforce
Super24 said:
That's sad. I don't think I've ever seen five people in a bass boat?
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You haven't been on Jackson lake south of Atlanta. I saw more than that on an 18 foot bass boat Memorial day. :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: Some were HEAVY in the pants too :confused1
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