On 4-22-2011 at aproximatley 10:38 AM, I State Game Warden received a call From State Game Warden SGT. that the US Coast Guard needed some assistance with a boating accident that occurred on the Lower Laguna Madre.  I travelled to the US Coast Guard station on South Padre Island to learn that a vessel being TX 6207 BF a 21' 7" Gulf Coast make had capsized and four persons had been thrown into the water.  One of the people involved in the capsizing was transported to Valley regional medical center in Brownsville Tx, in Cameron County. After speaking to the US Coast Guard and to the witnesses whom were present, I found out that the group of boaters were drifting along the Intercoastal Waterway when they were trying to retrieve a drift sock that had been blown out of the vessel.  The boat then capsized while they were trying to retrieve it.  The vessel was not being operated at the time of the capsizing.  US Coast Guard Lieutenant stated to me that overloading and weather conditions may have played a key factor to the vessel capsizing. 

04-22-2011 later on during the day I had called Valley Regional Medical Center to check the status of Victim and I had learned of him passing away.
      
On 04-23-2011 at approximately 9:00AM I received statements from the witnesses.  Asking the witnesses what the approximate weights for everyone on board they stated 172lbs for Occupant1, 230lbs for Occupant2, 330lbs for Victim, and 350lbs for Occupant3. 

On 4-23-2011 after receiving statements I then made contact with a representative from Tow Boat US who informed me that the vessel had been towed to his residence in Laguna Vista Tx, in Cameron County.  I then travelled to the residence and took pictures of the vessel in and out of the water. (See Photo Attachments)  All safety equipment was on board the vessel including life jackets, fire extinguisher, and type IV throwable.  The only Damage to the hull of the vessel was the right side of the transom had been smashed in by the power pole when the vessel capsized.  

05/11/2011 I received the death certificate that showed victim had died of an accidental drowning.   

05/11/2011 After taking witness statements, photos I learned that on 04-22-2011 victim accompanied by three others went out fishing on the Lower Laguna Madre on a rough and windy day.  During the trip a drift sock blew out the vessel and Victim circled back to retrieve it and raised his motor.  While retrieving the drift sock at the stern of the vessel the vessel took on water and the boat capsized throwing everyone on board into the water.  PFD's were accessible but were not used.  The US Coast Guard transported everyone back to the Coast Guard Station where Victim was the transported to Valley Regional Medical center where he later passed away.  After receiving the death certificate I learned that Victim passed away by accidental drowning.

South Padre Island            