Deadly Boat Accident Under Investigation

KDKA
12 April 2010

State and federal officials are still investigating a boating accident on the Allegheny River that killed two men and injured another.

Boaters say the tragedy is a reminder of why it's so important to follow the rules of safety on the river.

Authorities identified one of the victims who drowned as 26-year-old Brian Abercrombie, of California, Pa. His friends and neighbors have been left in shock by his death.

"Brian was the best friend anybody could ask for," said Geary Shipley, one of Abercrombie's friends. "He's irreplaceable, and I can't understand why this happened."

Abercrombie was one of three men fishing from a 16-foot boat. Officials say Gary Watson, 59, also drowned, but his 30-year-old son, Cale, was able to swim to safety.

Witnesses told authorities the boat was too close to what is called the "boil" - created by strong currents coming over the dam at Lock No. 3 in Harmar Township.

"There's significant hydraulic, as you see by the turbulence of the boil that forces you to the bottom of the dam," said Col. Mike Crall, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Witnesses said that no one on the boat was wearing a life preserver.

"Sometimes, the current will instead of taking you away from the dam, will bring you towards it; and if your motor does start - you don't have your motor running - that can actually take you right up into the dam itself," said boater Steve Killian.

First, officials say lock operators noticed the boat was outside the safe zone. Then, the next time, they observed emergency crews were called to the scene.

Authorities added that no buoys marked the danger zone because they are not put in place until the end of April.

Also, during boating season, officers with the Fish and Boat Commission patrol the river and will cite boaters if they come within 500 to 600 feet within the dam.

The boat has since been removed from the river, and the accident remains under investigation by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.