Accidents of the Week - February 8, 2025
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Large Boat Catches Fire at Virginia Marina
1/26/25 – Stafford, VA
A large boat fire occurred on the night of 26 January at Hope Springs Marina on Aquia Creek in Stafford, Virginia, Stafford Fire and Rescue reported.
A press release said firefighters were called about 10pm and arrived to find a large vessel, still attached to a dock, fully engulfed in flames.
Crews worked to extend hand-lines safely down the dock to extinguish the fire, while another crew deployed the county’s new fire boat, which was also docked at Hope Springs Marina, to initiate extinguishment efforts from the water.
The release said there were no reported injuries and no other boats were damaged by the fire. The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.
Missing Kayaker Found Dead in Kentucky Lake
1/25/25 – Louisville, KY
A man drowned at Kentucky’s Taylorsville Lake on 25 January, according to fire officials.
Taylorsville-Spencer County Fire Protection District responded to a report of an "overdue" kayaker who had gone out on the lake earlier in the day. Fire crews used a drone and watercraft to search for the missing man.
Officials identified the victim on 26 January as 55-year-old Russell O'Brien. Preliminary reports indicated that he had drowned.
'Duck Dynasty' Star Hospitalized After Hunting Accident
1/18/25 – Arkansas
"Duck Dynasty" star Silas "Uncle Si" Robertson was recently hospitalized three days after suffering a hunting accident.
On his "Duck Call Room" podcast, co-hosts Justin Martin and Phillip McMillan explained that Robertson fell from a boat while hunting in Arkansas and landed on his oxygen tank. Because of the accident, Robertson missed two weekly episodes of the podcast, which sparked concern among his fans.
"Typical Silas Robertson: In a dang hurry to get out of the boat," Martin said on the 20 January episode, recapping the incident. "He went to take a long step instead of waiting for us to move the decoys and the shotguns. … A BDH, a big dang hurry, and he fell."
‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Suffered Bruised Ribs from Fall
"When he fell, he fell on his oxygen machine," Martin continued. The host explained that Robertson quickly got up in an attempt to play off the fall. "I think he didn't want anybody to see that he fell," Martin explained. "Except the problem is you're covered in mud now, so we know that he fell."
As the day went on, Martin noticed that Robertson was very quiet, raising concerns about a possible concussion. His co-host McMillan, an alum of "Duck Dynasty," chimed in and said he found Robertson days later and questioned him about his health.
"Man, I'm in a lot of pain … I've been in pain for three days," Robertson told McMillan. While he was in pain, his oxygen levels were also low, according to McMillan and Martin. Robertson's family decided to force him to the emergency room where an X-ray found that he suffered bruised ribs from the fall.
Robertson's oxygen levels were low due to panic attacks he was having because of the extreme pain he was in. Since the injuries weren't more severe, Robertson was given medication and sent home to recover.
Boat Fire at Gig Harbor Marina Displaces Resident
1/25/25 – Gig Harbor, WA
A person was displaced after a fire destroyed their recreational boat at a marina in Gig Harbor, Washington, on 25 January.
At around 7 a.m., Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One responded to reports of a boat fire near Harborview Drive and Rosedale Street Northwest at the marina in downtown Gig Harbor.
When crews arrived, they found a recreational boat on fire at Bujacich Dock threatening the boat next to it.
Crews were able to get the fire under control with help from a West Pierce Fire and Rescue fireboat and the US Coast Guard, preventing it from spreading to nearby commercial boats that were on the same dock.
Fire Reportedly Started by Space Heater
No one was hurt but the resident of the boat was displaced. According to the Gig Harbor Police, initial reports indicated that the fire was caused by an electric space heater.
The Washington State Department of Ecology was notified to address any environmental concerns.
Coast Guard Rescues Boaters Off North Carolina Coast
1/28/25 – Wilmington, NC
Two people were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard on 28 January about 100 miles off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina, according to a press release.
The two men, unable to keep up with flooding, activated their emergency equipment on the 32-foot sinking sailboat. It sent a distress signal to the area command center.
“The District Five Command Center coordinated the rescue operation by directing the launch of a C-130 Hercules airplane and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City,” the U.S. Coast Guard said. The helicopter hoisted the two men up and carried the men back to shore, where The Salvation Army Wilmington, NC - Harrelson Center provided dry clothing for them.
USCG Stresses Importance of Communication Equipment
“This rescue highlights the critical importance of properly registered communication equipment,” said Lt. Sheena Bannon, a search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast
Guard District Five. “I cannot stress enough how essential it is for all mariners to register their communications gear to improve safety on the water.”
The two men were unharmed, but their sailboat, named Walrus, sank and was left at sea.
After Saving Dog, Woman Pulled Back to Land by Police
1/30/25 – Columbia, MO
A woman saved a dog that had fallen through the ice on 29 January in Holts Summit, Missouri, before getting pulled to safety.
The Holts Summit Police Department wrote in a social media post that an officer and an animal control officer were called after a dog fell through ice at a local lake. The post explained that a woman got into a kayak and was able to rescue the dog. However, her kayak became stuck in the ice and had to be pulled back to shore.
“Thinking quickly, our officers deployed a water rescue throw bag and worked together to pull the individual back to land safely. Thankfully, both the dog and the female were unharmed!” the post explained.
Duck Hunter Suffers Head Trauma in Bridge Accident
1/10/25 – Little Rock, AR
Ben Whorton is an avid hunter. When he went out on a recent morning with friends to enjoy a duck hunt, he did not know that the day would end in tragedy.
Ben’s family described him as an all-American boy. On 10 January he was enjoying the outdoors while duck hunting with friends.
“On our way out, we were going up underneath a bridge, and Ben raised his head a little too soon,” Ben’s best friend Zac Raines said. Raines says he immediately began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but then had to make the hardest phone call to Ben’s mom and dad.
“We got the call, and Zac told us that Ben had been seriously injured we just sort of headed in that direction,” Ben’s mom Amy Whorton said. According to Raines, the snow began to fall, making it difficult for first responders to get to Ben and determine which hospital to take him to. His parents finally learned they were taking Ben to UAMS and that he had suffered severe head trauma.
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