Staff Reports
A Swain County family experienced an unimaginable loss Saturday, July 27, as a day of fun turned into tragedy. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reports they are investigating an incident of a boat capsizing that led to the drowning of a one-year-old baby boy.
The boat, a tritoon, was traveling on Fontana Lake between Cable Cove and Fontana Dam when it capsized with eight people on board and three in tow on a high-back tube, according to wildlife service. Around 5 p.m., WRC received a report of a distressed vessel with a missing infant. When responders arrived, they observed the boat was being towed by another vessel close to where the boat had capsized.
When the boat capsized, everyone was thrown into the water. The adults were able to get the children back onto the vessel but couldn’t find the baby, according to the release.
Nearby boaters assisted with the search and rescue. One of the boaters located the infant and pulled him from the water.
CPR was administered on the scene, and an automated external defibrillator was used by responders on the shoreline, but the baby couldn’t be revived, according to the release.
All of the children on board, including the baby, were wearing life jackets, according to reports on scene.
Everyone who had been on board was transported to Swain Community Hospital.
Due to the sensitive nature of the incident, counselors were called in to assist those who responded to the scene. At press time, officials had not released the identity of the infant, nor the others involved.
The case is under investigation by NC WRC. No charges are expected to be filed, according to WRC Lt. Forrest Orr.
Responding agencies also included National Park Service, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, Swain County Rescue Squad, Stecoah Rescue Squad and Graham County Rescue Squad.