Fishermen escape tragedy when boat begins to sink
Published 2:58 pm Tuesday, June 12, 2018
By Ritchie Starnes
News Editor
A group of fishermen managed to escape tragedy after their damaged boat took on water. However, a volunteer firefighter was killed while en route to the call.
Four fishermen not familiar with the rocky bottom at Falls Reservoir on Lake Tillery found trouble Sunday evening. Their boat struck rocks and caused damage to the vessel, which then began taking on water about 30 feet from shore, according to Sgt. Brandon Jones of the N.C. Wildlife Commission.
Water rescue teams responded to the distress call that began coming in between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m. None of the fishermen were injured. They were all wearing life jackets, Jones said.
First responders helped the men to safety and pulled the boat to shore, he added.
Dakota Ross Snavely, 17, a firefighter with the East Side Volunteer Fire Department, was killed in a crash on N.C. Highway 205 as he was driving to the water rescue call.
Contact Ritchie Starnes at 704-754-5076 or ritchie.starnes@stanlynewspress.com.
