While attempting to return to the boat ramp from fishing at the Western Branch Reservoir, the victims took a route around an island to avoid shallow waters, when they hit a submerged stump and the boat capsized which resulted in the operator being thrown from the boat and the passengers were forced into the water as the boat was sinking.  

The boat was damaged "beyond repair" and the victims were assisted by another boater who had heard the incident occur and a nearby kayaker.  The assisting jon boat operator took the grandson of the victims onboard their vessel and threw a line to both the passenger and operator while they attempted to maneuver the damaged vessel to shallower waters.  Both the kayaker and the jon boat operator assisted in retrieving as much gear as possible as the victim/operator de-watered and righted his vessel.  Suffolk Fire and Rescue then arrived on scene and towed the boat to the boat ramp.
Western Branch Reservior
Suffolk/Western Branch        