Assateague Drowning

[Sam]

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE, Md. (AP) - Police say a 52-year-old Gaithersburg man drowned and his wife was in critical condition after they stumbled into deep water while clamming at the Assateague Island National Seashore. It happened Sunday in the Sinepuxent Bay near Bayside Drive. Matthew Lee and his wife, both nonswimmers, walked from an area of waist-deep water in the Sinepuxent Bay into an area where the water was above their heads, rangers said.

They both began calling out in distress and onlookers were able to pull Lee's wife to safety, but they could not immediately find Lee. The wife's name has not been released. U.S. Coast Guard, Natural Resources Police and Berlin Rescue units and a State Police helicopter helped search for the man, whose body was found about 45 minutes later. Police say the woman was rescued and taken to Atlantic General Hospital where she was listed in critical condition Monday. The Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore confirmed that Lee died of an accidental drowning.

Information from: The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

I was passed by an ambulance and a ranger on Sunday. I saw them turn down old ferry landing road towards the bay. I thought it might have been a stingray or heart attack... Sorry to hear this.

[Steve]

I too, really feel bad about it.
I just have to wonder though, what were they doing out there without a PFD.... Or anything...
I mean, wading in shallow water is one thing but to not know the bottom and just keep going. And not know how to swim...
Still feel bad for her loss...

[fish-aholic]

That sucks, but it goes to show you can never be too careful when you're dealing with the water, especially if you are a non swimmer.

[Sam]

Steve, it is rather easy to slip into deeper water while walking in the bay. Most people don't wear a pfd in the bay (I grew up clamming in the Sinepuxent) because it is so calm. But, I have slipped into deeper water and you can't just walk back uphill on a sandy or especially muddy bottom. If you can't swim, you are going to have a hard time making it back up that slope.

[fish-aholic]

I agree sam, BUT could you swim? Just like the Shark Sighting thread....there is an amount of danger anytime you take part in an outdoor activity. And those dangers must be realized and a sort of risk assesment must be completed to assure your safety. IE, if you're entering unknown water, and don't know how to swim, wear a PFD. Again a sad story, and it sucks that it happened...but most deaths while experiencing the outdoors can be prevented. I don't think anyone is talking bad about the poor guy or his wife...just using this as a tool to teach the others who are reading the dangers involved and how to counter the assumed risk of participating

[mdram]

always were a pfd in unfamilar water, i got my sospenders just for that.
next step is an inflatable vest
anyone ever use the stormy seas?
http://www.stormyseas.com/

[Bohica]

Sad story, but a contender for a Darwin award. Why would you go into the water without knowing how to swim? Period. PFD or no PFD. Did they think that a natural body of water would be tantamount to a swimming pool?

[Coop]

Very sad to here of this incident,,,what can happen is a slight slip in deeper water, tho not quite over your head yet, can result in a full fledge panic for someone who can't swim finding himself or herself now sliding and flailing into water over thier head.

[Erbby49]

We can't change the tragedy that has occurred we can only learn from it
let us all remember the familie's loss and pray for the Lord's mercy, healing strength for those who survive him

[Flatfish]

Originally Posted by Erbby49

We can't change the tragedy that has occurred we can only learn from it
let us all remember the familie's loss and pray for the Lord's mercy, healing strength for those who survive him

Nice sentiments. I hope this incident serves to remind us all of the fragility of life, and serves as a reminder for all to be careful out on and around the water.