Kayaker hit and killed by Boat in Pensacola

[jsuber]

May 27, 2008

Kayaker found dead

Adam Ziglar
aziglar@pnj.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A kayaker was found dead in Santa Rosa Sound early this morning, floating face down about a half mile from the Woodlawn Beach boat ramp and 200 yards offshore.

Officials believe Navarre resident Eric Toothaker, 24, was involved in a boating accident. The 24-year-old stationed at Hulrburt Field went on the Sound sometime yesterday afternoon on a kayak his wife purchased for him for his birthday. He turned 24 on Monday.

His body was discovered this morning around 6:30 a.m. this morning by Midway Fire District officials.

“The body has signs that are consistent with being hit by a boat,” said Lt. Stan Kirkland, regional spokesman with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “

Officials said Toothaker launched his kayak around 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, officials reported finding a blue one-seat kayak matching the description of Toothaker’s. They also found the kayak’s title and some other personal items belonging to Toothaker.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed Wednesday, Kirkland said.

“It will answer some questions,” he said. “We believe somebody either has the kayak or knows where it is. There are probably individuals who saw him out yesterday afternoon and may be able to fill in some blanks.”

Kirkland said Toothaker was not wearing a life preserver when his body was found.
“In most boating accidents boaters are generally aware if they collide with another vessel,” he said. “The puzzling thing is why the kayak is nowhere to be seen.”

Most kayaks are designed not to sink, Kirkland said. However, he was not sure if the kayak would sink if it were cracked. Divers have not searched the area yet because investigators are still trying to determine where the accident happened.

Toothaker was an aircraft mechanic at the base. The Airman 1st Class had been stationed there for less than a year, said Master Sgt. Stuart Camp, spokesman for Hurlburt Field.

“This is a huge blow,” Camp said. “Our top priority is taking care of his family. Every airman plays a vital role. The loss of anyone of them causes our mission to be affected.”

Other than helping with funeral arrangements, Camp said the military is not involved in the investigation.

There were 77 fatalities on water last year in Florida, Kirlkand said.

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl ... 1/80527030" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[KyTrkyHntr]

Very sad.....

[Sir reel]

Sad in deed. I certainly feel the need to lift up that young wife. The misplaced guilt that she must be feeling from her providing the birthday gift is hard to imagine.

[bman]

Yea, that is sad...