shueman
Libra
HDF Gold Supporter
Born To Drive...
   
Alta Loma CA
Posts: 17,228
APPD 2.27
Post Rank: 4
NADA
|
 |
Posted: June 23 2008,5:57 am |
Post # 1 |
   |
Bodies of two men recovered, two others presumed dead in Delta boating accident
By Paula King
and Eric Louie
Bay Area News Group
Article Launched: 06/22/2008 10:25:18 AM PDT
TRACY - Authorities recovered the bodies of two Oakland men Sunday and two others were presumed dead after an overloaded fishing boat capsized in a Tracy canal, a sheriff's official said.
San Joaquin County sheriff's investigators arrested the boat's 43-year-old captain on suspicion of manslaughter.
All in the fishing group were Guatemalan refugees who lived in Oakland, according to one of six survivors who swam to shore after the 14-foot aluminum boat capsized. With 10 people on board, authorities said, the small fishing boat was carrying too much weight to float.
The boat capsized shortly after midnight. About 1 a.m. Sunday, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department was called when cries for help were heard from the water west of the Tracy Oasis Marina-Resort, located off Tracy Boulevard where it crosses the Grant Line Canal. Six boaters were able to swim to safety just north of the marina, sheriff's officials said.
The boat's operator, Daniel Cordova, was arrested at 5:30 a.m. and was being held in the San Joaquin County jail on $400,000 bail.
"The boat had far exceeded its weight capacity," sheriff's deputy Les Garcia said. He said the number of passengers a boat can carry varies on the weight of the passengers and other criteria, but that it is usually between four and six.
"We learned through interviews that alcoholic beverages as well as the darkness played a contributing factor to the boat sinking," Garcia said.
In addition, he said, none of the boaters were wearing life preservers.
For several hours, the Coast Guard and sheriff's department conducted a search and rescue operation, but it was considered a recovery by late Sunday afternoon. Rescuers were searching for the missing boaters on foot and by boat, according to Sgt. Ray Walters.
Garcia said a dive team found two men Sunday evening. Their names are being withheld until family is notified, and authorities didn't release the identities of the two missing men.
About three dozen people gathered in the shade of trees at the resort and awaited news from authorities. Some in the group also searched with their own boats.
Many did not want to comment, saying they needed time.
Efrin Thomas, 27, sat alone watching the water with tears in his eyes. He said he was on the boat and that his brother Benito Thomas, 25, was among the four missing immediately after the accident.
Dino Welch, 41, of Tracy, said he was keeping an eye out for the missing men as he rode his personal watercraft Sunday. He saw the men in the boat near the marina Saturday evening. Welch said it did not appear anyone was drinking, but he had concerns because of the number of people on the boat and the lack of life preservers.
"I almost pulled over to tell them to be careful," he said. "You knew something wasn't right."
The boat was found partially submerged and later recovered, Garcia said.
|
11-24-2024 Three Word Post.....The Next Generation.... (Rep.#19,435) from: BigDog
Death due to pure stupidity... 