Boating Death

[Jobu]

This tragic accident should be a reminder to all of us to be a little more careful out there!

Man dead in North Bay after impact with concrete pillar
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May 12, 2010 7:28 AM
Andrew Gant
Florida Freedom Newspapers
LYNN HAVEN — A man died Tuesday in North Bay when his body slammed into a concrete pillar built around a power pole, authorities said.

The dead man's identity was not released Tuesday evening — although Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lt. Stan Kirkland said state wildlife officers did find his driver's license — pending notification of his immediate family.

The man died about 250 yards off the Lynn Haven side of the bay near the Sallie Mae facility, where witnesses called 911 about 3:45 p.m., Kirkland said.

They reported seeing a 17-foot bass boat headed "at a pretty high rate of speed" under the pillar, then slowly floating away, empty.

At the same time of the 911 call, an FWC officer was making routine water patrols "and happened to see the boat without anybody in it," Kirkland said. "He made a circle and then found the victim in the water, deceased."

There was no evidence of alcohol and no damage to the boat, Kirkland said. He said it appeared the man threw up his hands to shield himself from impact with the pillar but still took a fatal blow to the upper body.

He was wearing a life jacket with a kill switch attached, which apparently worked to shut off the boat.

Bay County sheriff's investigators and a medical examiner also were at the scene Tuesday.

The medical examiner's office planned an autopsy Wednesday or Thursday because officials also have to examine the bodies of two men shot dead Tuesday in Southport, Kirkland said.

[RHTFISH]

That is so sad!

[Gulf Coast]

sad but," speed kills"

[FlatCrazy]

Suicide. He was scheduled to be in court this morning on charges of performing sex acts on a young child. Looks like he was just looking for a way to do it where his life insurance policy would still be valid.

[Chalk]

Suicide. He was scheduled to be in court this morning on charges of performing sex acts on a young child. Looks like he was just looking for a way to do it where his life insurance policy would still be valid.

Thought something was fishy....those pilings aren't even remotely high enough to even think about it in a kayak

[jsuber]

Could have jumped a manatee into the pilings.