Tragedy struck on Labor Day for a father and son who spent the afternoon kayaking on Summit Lake.
According to Nicholas County dispatchers, a call was received at 2:50 p.m. involving a “canoe accident.” Fire Departments from Richwood and Summersville, as well as the Volunteer Department from Craigsville all responded to the scene.
Officials from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reported that there was a small crack in the kayak. The vessel began to take on water, which eventually led to it capsizing. The boy, five-years-old, was wearing a life-preserver, and able to make it back to shore. He sustained no reported injuries. Unfortunately the boy’s father, who was not wearing a life-preserver, did not survive the accident.
Officials believe that the man was not able to get back into the kayak. This may have been due, in part, to the fact that he was fully-clothed; wearing long pants and a shirt.
The Nicholas County Dive Team also assisted with retrieving the victim, who’s name has not been released. More details should become available as the situation unfolds.
Sgt. Christopher Fitzwater of the WVDNR told The West Virginia Daily News on Wednesday that the deceased was, in fact, a local resident. They are awaiting additional medical information, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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