Accidents of the Week - October 3, 2026
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3 Die After Boat Overturns on Private Lake
9/20/26 – Houston Co., TX
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office said the bodies of three people were recovered from a private lake after a tragic boating accident on September 20.
The sheriff’s office said they were called at approximately 8:06 p.m. to the private lake. Authorities learned four people had been fishing in a boat on the lake when it overturned, sending all four into the water.
One individual, identified as Juan Hernandez of Crockett, Texas, was able to swim safely to shore. The other three were unable to get to the shore and were reported missing.
Dive Team, Multiple Agencies Joined Search
Multiple agencies, including the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Grapeland Fire Department, Houston County Search and Rescue personnel, and Texas Game Wardens responded to assist. The Huntsville Fire Department Dive Team was also requested to assist with the search for the three missing individuals.
At approximately 7:45 a.m. on September 21, crews pulled the body of Sergio Quintero from the water. Shortly afterwards, the bodies of Alexander Aldaco and Junior Perez were also pulled from the water. All four of the individuals involved in the incident were from Crockett.
“At this time, the incident appears to have been a tragic boating accident, and no foul play is suspected. The investigation is now being handled by the Texas Game Wardens,” the sheriff’s office said.
Boat Catches Fire, Sinks Near Venice Inlet
9/20/26 – Venice, FL
A boat caught fire on September 20 just offshore of Florida’s Venice Inlet and later sank, according to the Venice Police Department. No one was injured, police said.
The Venice Police Department’s drone unit assisted Venice Fire Rescue by providing an aerial view of the incident. Fire Boat 51 and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office marine unit also responded on the water.
Police said the vessel sustained extensive damage before sinking. The cause of the fire was not provided.
In a social media post, the Venice Police Department reminded boaters to ensure marine-rated fire extinguishers are accessible, serviced and not expired before leaving the dock.
3 Boaters Rescued After Catamaran Overturns
9/21/26 – Coloma, MI
Three boaters were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) after their vessel capsized on September 21.
The Coast Guard said the rescue call came in just before 4 p.m. for a capsized 16-foot catamaran near Roadside Park. There were two women and one man aboard.
A Coast Guard boat from the St. Joseph station made it to the scene in 30 minutes and was able to rescue the boaters and transport them safely to shore. All three boaters were wearing life jackets and were able to maintain a hold on the overturned boat.
The boat was able to find the scene quickly because BCSO drone operators had found them about a half mile offshore.
Man Drowns Trying to Help Sister After Kayak Capsizes
9/20/26 – Catawba Co., NC
A 21-year-old man from Greensboro, North Carolina, drowned in Lake Norman, Catawba County, while attempting to help his sister after her kayak capsized, N.C. Wildlife Law Enforcement stated.
Emergency search crews recovered the body of Dorian Jackson on the afternoon of September 20 following a multi-agency response. Wildlife Law Enforcement officers stated the incident happened roughly 30 yards from a residential dock.
Man’s Sister, Wearing PFD, Survived
Jackson's sister was wearing a life jacket when her kayak overturned, but Dorian was not wearing a life jacket when he attempted to pull her onto his own kayak.
Nearby residents entered the water to help the siblings after seeing Jackson's sister struggling. Neighbors safely brought her to shore, but they couldn't locate Jackson after he submerged and did not resurface.
Wildlife Law Enforcement officers were first notified of the boating emergency at approximately 6:59 p.m. on September 19. Responders from Sherrills Ford Fire, Denver Fire and the Catawba County Sheriff's Office assisted in search efforts until crews recovered Dorian Jackson's body at approximately 1 p.m. the following day.
Man Rescued After Kayak Swamped, Waders Filled with Water
9/23/26 – Suffolk Co., NY
A kayaker had to be rescued after being dragged underwater in New York’s Suffolk County on the morning of September 23.
Suffolk Marine Bureau officers Christopher Maggio, Thomas Ciota, Kyle Profit and Brendan Grogan responded after receiving a 911 call around 11 a.m. reporting a boater was in distress. The Shirley man’s watercraft had become swamped and then his waders filled with water in the Great South Bay, about a quarter of a mile from Sore Thumb Beach.
Police told local news that their officers waded through knee-deep water to get to the kayaker, who was already on the sandbar after being assisted by good Samaritans.
The 68-year-old, who had been out clamming when the incident occurred, was semiconscious when he was strapped to a backboard to be removed from the water and transported to land via Marine Juliet. He was then taken to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment.
84-Year-Old Found Dead After Boat Washes Ashore
9/23/26 – York, ME
An 84-year-old man was found dead two days after the U.S. Coast Guard began searching for him off the coast of York, Maine.
Chester Wiggins left York Harbor on the evening of September 23. Crews later found his empty boat washed ashore, and a Coast Guard air crew joined the search for the missing operator.
York Police reported that Wiggins was located deceased on the afternoon of September 25. His family was notified.
The incident remained under investigation by the Maine State Marine Patrol.
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