CONCORD, NH – State Police Marine Patrol have issued the following update to the May 5 fatal boating accident in which two people were killed, a woman and a child:
The vessel was operated by John Wickman, 59, of Eliot, ME. One of the deceased female passengers was identified as Laurie Stewart, 56, also from Eliot. The second occupant who succumbed to injuries sustained from the crash was a girl, age 7. A 5-year old boy was transported to Children’s Hospital in Boston for treatment.
Whereas the incident is actively being investigated, no further details will be released barring significant changes to the known facts and circumstances surrounding the crash. What has been reported so far is that on May 5 at approximately 8:15 p.m., New Hampshire State Police – Marine Patrol received a call regarding a boating accident with a missing person on the Piscataqua River in the area of the Eliot Boat Landing in Eliot, ME.
Responding agencies arrived at the boat landing and upon preliminary investigation, determined that the 24-foot Boston Whaler was being operated on plane by Wickman with three passengers on board. The vessel struck a buoy in the vicinity of the Eliot Boat Landing. Upon impacting the buoy, one female passenger, who was wearing a life jacket, was ejected from the boat. Wickman called 9-1-1 for help and located the female, unconscious in the water. He maneuvered the vessel to the boat landing, which was within sight of the location of the crash.
Responding agencies transported Wickman to York Hospital in York, Maine, for treatment of a possible back injury and other bruising. The other three passengers were brought to Portsmouth Hospital. Stewart and the 7-year-old girl were pronounced dead. The boy was ultimately transported to a hospital in Boston, MA, for further treatment.
If anyone witnessed the incident, they are requested to contact New Hampshire State Police – Marine Patrol Sergeant Joshua Dirth at 603-227-2115 or via email at Joshua.Dirth@dos.nh.gov .
