CONNEAUT — Three “fishing buddies” from Youngstown died Thursday night when their boat capsized on a choppy Lake Erie, authorities said.
Coast Guard vessels and aircraft found the men — all wearing life vests — a short distance from their overturned, 18-foot boat about five miles north of Conneaut Harbor lighthouse, officials said.
The victims were identified as Dole Broomfield, 82; Nathan Jackson, 76; and Vincent Mack, 58, according to officials with the Erie County, Pa., and Ashtabula County coroner’s offices.
Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook said Jackson and Mack were pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m. at the Erie Coast Guard station, where they were transported after recovery from the water.
Death was accident due to drowning, Cook said. Hypothermia may have also played a role, he said.
Water temperature at the time was 72 degrees, but the men were in the water “a couple of hours,” Cook said. Foul play is not suspected and autopsies will not be performed, he said.
Broomfield’s body was recovered a short time later about 6 1/2 miles off shore, said Richard Mongell, Ashtabula County coroner’s investigator. The body was brought ashore at Conneaut’s public dock, firefighters said.
An autopsy will be performed to help pin down the cause of Broomfield’s death, Mongell said.
The men, not related, were long-time “fishing buddies,” Mongell said.
Authorities said the lake was very rough Thursday, with winds between 5 and 15 knots kicking up waves that approached six feet.
The boat, which was launched from Conneaut, was pulled from the water by Ohio Department of Watercraft personnel, according to reports.
Conneaut Fire Chief Bim Orrenmaa said the incident was a tragedy, especially since the trio were wearing life jackets. “They tried to do everything right,” he said.
Coast Guard officials received a distress call via cellular telephone that a boat was sinking. Personnel, vessels and a helicopter from several Coast Guard stations were enlisted in the search, officials said.
Conneaut firefighters were called to the lakefront around 6:30 p.m. in response to an ill Guardsman, according to reports. Nearly three hours later, firefighters learned two victims were found. Shortly before 11:30 p.m., firefighters learned the third and final victim was discovered.
A Coast Guard spokesman in Cleveland did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
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