NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Oct. 6, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 457
For more information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Investigating
Sunday’s Fatal Boat Crash Near Delaware City
An early Sunday morning boat crash on the C&D canal left one man dead and a second injured, with an investigation underway by DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents.
Fish and Wildlife agents responded to the scene at 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 5 on the north side of the jetty at the east canal entrance near Delaware City, where a 25-foot Crownline had struck the jetty and remained perched there. The vessel was seized, pending completion of the investigation.
The boat owner and operator, David W. Turner, age 37, of Pennsville, N.J., was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger, Kevin Gratz, also of Pennsville, was admitted to Christiana Hospital with a broken jaw and other injuries.
In addition to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Delaware Fire Company responded to the accident scene.
Alcohol appears to be a factor in the accident, according to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement spokesman and Boating Safety officer Sgt. Gregory Rhodes. “Most boating accidents are preventable - and alcohol and boating simply don’t mix,” Rhodes added.
For further information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, at 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913.
