Boating accident victims identified

Published 12:00 am Saturday, August 25, 2007

WINTON – The names of six people involved in a boating accident near here last Saturday have been released.

North Carolina Wildlife Officer Tim Wadsworth, who is the investigating officer in the incident, released the names Friday morning.

According to Wadsworth’s report, a call came in to the Hertford County 911 Center at approximately 10 p.m. last Saturday that a boat on the Chowan River had been in an accident.

The original call indicated that one boat had struck another and there were a variety of injuries. After the investigation, it was determined a single boat struck a tree that is known to be located in the water.

In addition to aide offered by N.C. Wildlife, the Winton Fire Department and the Franklin (Va.) Fire Department put boats in the water to help victims.

Wadsworth said six people were on board the boat, including owner James Green and his wife, Faye, of Courtland, Virginia. Lathan Bryan Jr. of Franklin, Virginia was reportedly operating the boat at the time of the accident. His wife, Patricia, was also on board the board.

The final couple who were reportedly on the boat was Gerry and Debbie Hawkins, also of Franklin, Virginia.

Wadsworth said his report showed the group put the boat in the water at Dockside (in Virginia), proceeded to dinner at Riverside (in Hertford County, near Winton) and were making the return journey.

Five of the six boaters were reportedly injured in the incident.

Wadsworth said the investigation is continuing and reported no charges have been filed to date.