3 dead in boating nightmare
Baby fighting for life in hospital after vessel carrying 6 people floods, capsizes 15 feet from shore
LITCHFIELD BEACH — Rain peppered the Waccamaw River and thunder shook the sky as six people piled into a 15-foot boat Wednesday night and set off through the darkness to make a 300-yard passage to their homes on rustic Sandy Island.
Tom Murray/MCT
Crews searched the Waccamaw River near Sandy Island in Georgetown County on Thursday for a missing teen who was later found dead. Details emerged of efforts by residents and emergency workers to rescue a mother and her daughter, who also died in the boating accident.
Just 15 feet from the shore, their journey came to a sudden and horrific end as the fiberglass boat took on water and capsized, throwing the passengers into the cold, inky water. No one on board could swim, and none wore life jackets, authorities said.
A mother and daughter went to their deaths in the river, as did an 18-year-old high school student. The accident also left a baby boy clinging to life at Medical University Hospital in Charleston.
Of those on board, only the boat's operator, Tiffany Tucker, and her 5-year-old daughter made it safely to shore. Tucker called 911 from her cell phone, but help arrived too late for some.
Georgetown County authorities called the incident the deadliest local boating accident in recent memory, and grief shuddered through the tight-knit enclave on Sandy Island, a rural community accessible only by boat.
"Morale is very low on the island today," resident and relative Samuel Pyatt said. "It's a very small community. It's a sad day."
When the boat overturned around 9:45 p.m., Pyatt and his brother, Charles Pyatt, rushed to the riverbanks to help rescue survivors. Charles Pyatt found a baby boy, a month shy of his first birthday, floating on a boat seat in the river and took the child to the mainland for medical attention.
Pyatt
S. Robinson
By the time the infant arrived at the hospital, his body temperature hung in the mid-80s, Georgetown County Coroner Kenneth Johnson said. The boy, identified by a relative as Zyair Smalls, was listed in critical condition Thursday. His grandfather, Robert Smalls, said it will likely be a couple of days before doctors can assess the extent of his injuries.
Divers pulled the baby's mother, 19-year-old Shaquatia Robinson, from the river shortly before midnight Wednesday and rushed her to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Preliminary autopsy results indicated she drowned, Johnson said.
Rescuers found the body of Robinson's mother, 47-year-old Lou Ann Robinson, Thursday morning.
Aided by planes, helicopters, boats and divers, rescuers continued to search throughout the day for 18-year-old Rishard Pyatt, a cousin of the two victims.
Students and faculty at Waccamaw High School, where Pyatt attended school and played basketball, held out hope searchers would find him alive. At 5:30 p.m., however, divers from the state Department of Natural Resources finally recovered the teen's body from the river's waters, according to the Coast Guard.
Weather reports show wind was picking up and a storm moving in as the boat approached the island Wednesday. But Georgetown County Sheriff A. Lane Cribb said it is too early to say if the onset of bad weather played a role in the accident.
"It might have been the weather. A bigger boat passing them might have caused it. We just don't know right now," he said.
The accident struck a deep chord on Sandy Island, a 12,000-acre island between the Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee rivers. More than 9,000 pristine acres are managed as a wildlife preserve. The island is also home to an enclave of about 20 families, with a total population of less than 150 people. Many residents are descendants of slaves who worked nearby rice plantations before the Civil War, and the community remains steeped in Gullah culture. "It's really one of the last bastions of the Gullah heritage," said Suesan Dolan, who works at a nearby marina on the mainland.
Dolan said the island dwellers live simply, with just a single general store to serve their needs. They come to the mainland to work and stock up on supplies, and pontoon boats ferry their children back and forth to schools each day.
The passengers in Wednesday's accident were returning to the island after boarding at a landing near Litchfield Beach, an upscale coastal resort community of golf courses, condominiums and restaurants about 70 miles northeast of Charleston.
Smalls, the injured infant's grandfather, said he hopes residents will reconsider the need for a bridge after this deadly accident.
Residents fought attempts to build a bridge from mainland in the 1990s, arguing that it would open Sandy Island to development. They said they preferred to go back and forth by boat. Dolan said most people in the area still feel the same way.
"If you build a bridge, people will come," she said. "I think people here are pretty content to keep it as it is."
The Associated Press, Georgetown Times and McClatchy Newspapers contributed to this report.
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Comments
ForPnC (anonymous) says...
My deepest condolences to the families.
February 20, 2009 at 3:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ballachulish (anonymous) says...
So sad, my condolences.
February 20, 2009 at 5:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Wow very heart breaking to read this. Sounds like they were very comfortable riding back and forth to and from the island is the only reason I could figure out why they had no life jackets. Boaters plan for the worst when your out there.
Condolences and prayers for the family and survivors.
February 20, 2009 at 6:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"It might have been the weather. A bigger boat passing them might have caused it. We just don't know right now,"
I truly and sincerely extend my sympathy to the families for their loss.
However, I do not hesitate to say that common sense says that irregardless of any other factors these results would not have happened if they had not over loaded a small boat and even in they could swim had been wearing life jackets.
February 20, 2009 at 6:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_seriousHELP (anonymous) says...
tc1, agreed on the "..over loaded a small boat and even in they could swim had been wearing life jackets.."
This is tragic. A terrible loss, my sympathy to the families.
February 20, 2009 at 6:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coryphaena (anonymous) says...
"irregardless" isn't a word. And people who can't swim and don't have life jackets are begging to drown. "Fifteen feet from shore"??? Idiots.
February 20, 2009 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
condolences to the family and friends, and yes this was a very negligent avoidable tragedy
overloaded small boat full of people that couldn't swim and didn't at least wear life jackets... totally avoidable
if you decide to live on an island that is accessible only by boat you should teach your children how to swim before you teach them how to walk IMHO
to anyone else that still lives there, if you don't already know how to swim please learn ASAP... and wear a life jacket until then please
I wonder if they will charge the boat owner/pilot?
February 20, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
Even if you know how to swim when the water is as cold as it is now you should have on a life jacket because the cold is going to reduce your stamina. Also when something happens you could be knocked out or injured and unable to swim. Also in the worst case it will take less time to find your body.
February 20, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cw4gamecocks (anonymous) says...
Some people should keep in mind,that these lives have been cut way to short,regardless of what they should have or not done.Do "you" ALWAYS wear your seatbelt,or ALWAYS avoid consuming artery clogging goo........get my drift?This was a tragic accident that could have been prevented,but isn't that the way it goes with all accidents?They are preventable,yet they still happen.God bless the families & friends of those that are not with you today.Better days are on the horizon.
February 20, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
number1volsfan1 (anonymous) says...
My deepest sympathy for family and friends involved in this terrible and senseless tragedy.
February 20, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glovern (anonymous) says...
The operator has a huge moral and legal burden. Why no life preservers? Why so many non swimmers? why so late?
This is a tragedy that appears self inflicted.
February 20, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TLG87 (anonymous) says...
You would think if someone is travelling by boat often they would either 1. learn to swim or 2. wear life jackets. And they were only 15 feet from the shore? .... wow.
This tragedy could have definitely been avoided.
February 20, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
A real tragedy indeed. My condolences to the community.I hope that the baby recovers.
February 20, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Clemsurf (anonymous) says...
The driver should be charged. It is a rule enforced by DNR that all passengers must have a life jacket.
February 20, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigfacenfresh (anonymous) says...
Coryphaena...People died here in this story and you feel the need to call them idiots thats sad
February 20, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
I just don't get it. When I was 4 years old, my mom made me take swimming lessons just in case I ever needed to swim to save my life. And we didn't even live anywhere near water!
Now here these people are, living on an island that they have to take a boat to get to, and they don't know how to swim?
These deaths were just senseless in my opinion.
February 20, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
penarts (anonymous) says...
Its sad to hear of another accident that could have been avoided.I lived on an island for years and the eldlers of our communtiy fought not to have a bridge until like this a accindent took a a whole family.the next year a bridge was requested,put took almost 5 years to get the funding.I hope this communty can see now the need for one.cause the money is there now. God Bless and think about our childern
February 20, 2009 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cpanther515 (anonymous) says...
State law requires any child under the age of twelve years old to wear a life preserver when they are in a boat
February 20, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhshjh (anonymous) says...
Clemsurf... The DNR rule is that there has to be a life jacket on board for each person. They do not have to be wearing it. We own a 19ft boat and never have more than 4 people on it, also, we make everyone under 16 wear the life jacket, even if they can swim.
What a tragic accident. My condolences to the family. I hope the baby is OK.
February 20, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MountP (anonymous) says...
Tragic...
Still don't think they need a bridge. I hope the Red Cross or maybe a local school or university will send certified lifeguards to teach the residents of that island how to swim. In fact, there is a perfect cove inside that island with no current where they could practice in relative safety. If I had the means or time I would do it myself.
February 20, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DCartisan (anonymous) says...
Condolences to the family. May God give you strength thru this time of grieving.
February 20, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
This is very sad and I agree with other posters that knowing how to swim and wearing a PDF is a no brainer when living on an island.
If I lived there I'd fight the bridge by any means available.
Far better for the inhabitants of the island to insist that all residents learn to swim. It's a natural ability that just needs to be capitalized on.
That precaution married to adequate boat maintenance and safe handling practices would go a long way toward insuring that nothing like this ever happened again.
If a bridge is ever built it would not be long before a developer would entice someone on the island to sell their land. Then, with the construction and sale of whatever number of high dollar homes being completed by the developer, the assessor and the tax man would show up.
Property taxes would climb to levels beyond the ability of the current residents to pay and they would be forced to sell losing their way of life and all they hold dear.
Naturally progressives would claim this is good because it increases the tax base and generates more revenue for things like affordable housing for the very folks progress forced out of their homes.
One Mt Pleasant is enough.
February 20, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhshjh (anonymous) says...
cpanther515... You are correct about the life jackets for kids under the age of 12, but it is only for boats under 16ft. Which would have been this boat.
February 20, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Xnavykat (anonymous) says...
What a tragedy. However, this could have been avoided if they were wearing life jackets, especially if they couldn't swim. To me, it's the same as wearing a seltbelt because you just never know.
February 20, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
annointed (anonymous) says...
Wow, even in tragedy we can find a way to criticize and judge others. Sure they should have been wearing life jackets and sure they should have been able to swim, but who are we to judge them? They cut their lives short, not ours. These people lived on this island and I am quite certain this is not the first time they have made this trip. So in all the other times they made this trip, they didn't know how to swim and probably didn't wear life jackets then either. This was an ACCIDENT. Yes their lives may have been preserved if they had prepared better but we all know that in an accident, you have no control. People die in cars with seat belts still in place. As far as charging the driver of the boat, wow. Insult to injury. If they were in a car accident would we arrest her because the adults chose not to wear their seat belts? This wasn't a commercial boat, this was probably a family boat, filled with members of one family trying to get home. Geez!
God bless this family and touch the baby with your healing power that he/she might live and not die and cover this family with you love.
February 20, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"Naturally progressives would claim this is good because it increases the tax base and generates more revenue for things like affordable housing for the very folks progress forced out of their homes."
Now that sums it all up!
Life Jackets, proper boats, learning to swim and using common sense are not only a lot cheaper solution it is the only, but not certain, way for them to be able to hold on to their way of life.
A bridge will help them at first but ultimately and soon thereafter what Yird said will take it all from them all.
February 20, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
Here's a thought - instead of building a bridge that can hold vehicles, simply build a footbridge. Walking over it certainly would not take longer than having to take a boat, and the island would not be "opened up to development."
February 20, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"To me, it's the same as wearing a seltbelt because you just never know."
Life jackets are even more valuable then seat belts. After a crash your seat belt has no further use. After a boating accident you are more likely to die from drowning then the accident itself.
February 20, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
MountP,
....so you think it's the goverment or someone else's responsibility to teach these people to swim because they live on an island and are to ignorant to learn and teach their kids and others. Your statement "if i had the time i would do it myself"...if that isn't a typical mt p liberal response what is? all survivors on board that are adults should be held responsible for a the death of any child. The captain(operator) of the boat has the responsibilty to be sure all persons on board are within the law. She is who should be charged.
February 20, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
In this case I dought any charges can bring more punishment then has been self inflicted. The only good there might be is that some others live because they remember this text book example of what NOT to do on the water.
February 20, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truth_to_us (anonymous) says...
I am seriously thinking if not reading the comments any longer. You guys are EVIL. It frightens me to think that me, my children, my family may be subject to working with, going to school with, etc, with the likes of people like you!
Your comments are straight from hell. My immediate response was to say "may you rest in hell" but then I remembered whose I am.......I will pray for you!
February 20, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emitchellpartners (anonymous) says...
Beloved, God loved these people. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". If God can forgive their sins then so can we. Pray for the survivors. JESUS died to pay for their sins and become LORD of their lives and help them know what is best for them in their future. NO matter what you do we have to face GOD one day. Lets help people get ready for meeting their Creator instead of knocking them down. Also, it is written "A man must be born again to see the Kingdom of God". Ask JESUS to come into all of your life, change your hearts and forgive your sin and you will be saved. The Bible says, "Ask and it shall be given to you, Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you". All we have to do is asked. Give JESUS a chance, just ask.
February 20, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
hey truth_to_us,
you will not find it sugar coated here....if you can't take the heat(truth) stay out the kitchen.
what's evil is to take a 5yr old and one yr old out on a boat with no life jacket in weather like that...that's evil you idiot!!
February 20, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
truth_to_us,
This is not the place to come for memorial services. That is in the obituary section. I previously said and say again the family has my deepest sympathy. I would not go to their home today or any service and bring up the things I said here. Only because That is not the place. This is the place where at least some objective analysis of the facts can take place. Yes, some here have made some remarks that do not contribute to learning from the tragedy.
February 20, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
ditto to sandnateaters definition of evil
February 20, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rggr (anonymous) says...
This happens far too often and is a tragic loss. If you can't swim, please wear a lifejacket.
February 20, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
The usual batch of compassionate folks rear their head and offer up their vitriol as straight talk. What BS cop out little wimp statement.
People died and out of the rotted decay come the talking mules...whoever injected politics into this is also a sad and pathetic little person.
I worked with a relative of young man, a tragic loss and my condolences to the Pyatts.
February 20, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Clemsurf (anonymous) says...
Nobody is saying this isn't sad. It is. What's more sad is these irresponsible adults put the lives of innocent children at risk and unfortunately one of them died. To me this is the same as driving in your car and not putting your infant child in their child restraint. Yes a few people died and now the remaining members of the family have to live with that, but I still hold the operator of the boat responsible for these deaths.
February 20, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HighDef (anonymous) says...
not evil just a- holes.
February 20, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
There's some interesting reading on the web about Sandy Island,SCDOT,The Coastal Conservation League, bridges, nature conservancies and the people that live there.
February 20, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KershawGirl (anonymous) says...
The harsh critics voicing opinions probably don't know a whole lot about the lives of the people who inhabit endangered places like Sandy Island. The Gullah culture is different from what we know to be truths here on the mainland -
I wish people would consider some cultural compassion for what may be normal or not normal ways of thinking or behavior for a people of the Gullah culture. Context is everything. I challenge everyone to learn more about the Gullah people before being so judgmental on what they should have done or judging their characters.
This is a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to all who are from Sandy Island. I hope you are successful at preserving your culture and your land from the exploits of capitalism that a bridge would bring.
February 20, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trainey35 (anonymous) says...
It is so extremely sad that during a tragedy that instead of praying for the family that you would have people like coryphena and highdef to write negative comments. I pray that your family never experience any type of tragedy of any kind. My prayers go out to the community and family of the victims and may god watch and keep you.
February 20, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coryphaena (anonymous) says...
How f-ing stupid do you have to be to A) not know how to swim, and, forgetting 'A', B) ride in any boat in any kind of weather without a lifejacket (WEARING IT) if you can't f'ing swim!?!??!? Darwin in action.
February 20, 2009 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
My guess is, as stupid as a person who cannot get his/her point across without using profanity. Why are you so angry at these people? Did they take something away from you when they died in this tragic accident? Geez!
February 20, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CLMcC (anonymous) says...
While reading the posts, I was happy to see KershawGirl's comments. -Thank You!!!
People have mentioned that the adults involved were evil/a*holes/idiots...you fill in the blank. Is it possible to have some kind of meaningful dialogue without name calling?
February 20, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestt (anonymous) says...
Situations like this are tough because they were caught between a rock and a hard place. What were they going to do, Sleep in the car all night? Having said that, they should have planned ahead. Should someone go to jail for this? Is that what you think? That will really change absolutely nothing!
February 20, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
I wish I hadn' read this...so sad.
February 20, 2009 at 6:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCPDBLUE (anonymous) says...
I am sorry for your loss. But be in comfort knowing that they are with our lord and savor.
February 20, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
southerngirl45 (anonymous) says...
WOW!
February 20, 2009 at 10:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IronWoman (anonymous) says...
Yes, these people did make their own decisions not to learn to swim, and not to wear life jackets, ... but that stops at the 5 year old aboard. That child and the baby in the hospital had no choice. Their lives were in the hands of the adults aboard. So although this is a tragedy, and obviously a preventable tragedy, ... parents have to learn from it, and start wising up and taking better care of their children! Take risks with your own life if you must, ... but keep your children out of your poor decision making. God be with this family, and comfort those who have joined him.
February 25, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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