According to statements made by the operator, himself and 3 other males were underway and fishing on abbotts creek on high rock lake.  They launched from a residence on point harbor drive at approximately 07:30 pm on 2/2/13.  They were headed across abbotts creek along hwy 8 towards an island.  The operator stated that there was 1 person seated in front of the vessel, 2 in the middle of the vessel, and he was sitting in the back of the vessel operating the trolling motor.  As the operator was underway on abbotts creek of high rock lake, he stated that all of a sudden, the front of the vessel went under water.  At this time he stated the vessel started to fill with water and then capsized throwing all passengers over board.  The operator stated that there were type iii pfds floating around the vessel when they capsized.  He stated that all passengers were holding on to a pfd and the vessel.  They all began to swim toward an island which was located between them and land opposite of where they launched the vessel.  On their way towards the island, he stated that they abandoned their pfds because they were slowing them down.  All passengers continued to hold on to the vessel and began to swim toward the island.  Once they all made it to the island, they began yelling for help.  A third party on the lake side heard the 4 passengers yelling for help and called 911.  A fourth party came to the island and picked up all passengers on his boat and carried them to hwy 9 to meet ems.  All 4 passengers were transported by ems to lexington memorial hospital where they were all treated for hypothermia.  Pfds were used but not work by all passengers.  The use of alcohol and/or drugs was not believed to be a contributing factor in the accident.  Overloading of the vessel was the primary cause of this accident.  There were no charges filed in this accident.
 
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Please note:  personal flotation devices were not worn, but they were used by everyone after the vessel capsized.
SOUTHMONT