Father's Day Lake Tragedy :(

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Skywatch_NC
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Father's Day Lake Tragedy :(

#1 Postby Skywatch_NC » Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:12 am

Recovery Effort Continues After Father Drowns At Falls Lake

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A day that started out as fun for a father and his sons Sunday at Falls Lake turned into a tragedy.

The man drowned as his sons watched.

After eight hours of diving and dragging the lake Sunday, search-and-rescue crews called off the search for the victim at 9 p.m., marking the end of a long day for everyone. The timing of the tragedy -- on Father's Day -- made it worse for family, friends, and even strangers.

The recovery effort resumed Monday morning.

Just beyond a crowded Sandling Beach, rescue crews searched for the body of 36-year old Mintt Truong. Investigators said Truong was boating with his two sons, a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old, when a gust of wind knocked him into the water.

Truong was not wearing a life jacket. People in another boat tried to throw him a life jacket, but Truong was unable to reach it.

Investigators believe Truong, described as a good swimmer, drowned about 50 to 100 feet off shore in water that was 15 to 20 feet deep.

Family friend Steve Nguyen was picnicking at the park when one of Truong's sons ran up to him after the accident.

"I said: 'Oh, my god, what happened?' He just cried. He said: 'My dad fell out of the boat.'"

Truong's family spent the afternoon watching rescuers, hoping for answers.

Truong leaves behind three young children and a wife who is pregnant with their fourth child.

As search crews took over the beach, even complete strangers were touched by the Father's Day tragedy.

"We've been sitting here watching it unfold, " said Deborah Miles, who came to the beach with her husband and their young daughter. "It's disheartening to actually see those two coming up and not have their father with them."

Miles said the somber search made her appreciate her family and count her blessings.

"It makes you think what Father's Day is really about," she said. "It's not just another day."

Rangers closed the beach two hours early Sunday, so crews could extend the search area.

Nationwide, some 750 people are killed yearly in boating accidents. Seventy percent of them drowned, and some 4,000 are reported injured.

Alcohol is involved in almost 40 percent of fatal accidents.

Duke Power, meanwhile, is trying to prevent more drownings at one of its lakes. It plans to repost no-trespassing signs and ask for police to help enforce them following two drownings at a Lake Wylie cove.

The company said the cove where two people died in the past month is supposed to be off limits to the public. The North Carolina-based power company owns hundreds of miles of shoreline surrounding the lake.
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Miss Mary

#2 Postby Miss Mary » Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:20 am

Oh Eric, that story just breaks my heart. The poor little boys, having to watch this unfold. And another baby on the way. This truly is a very sad, sad story. I hope and pray his wife and children have a very good support system in place. They will certainly need it in the immediate months to come and years from now also.

Mary
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#3 Postby Skywatch_NC » Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:26 am

Miss Mary wrote:Oh Eric, that story just breaks my heart. The poor little boys, having to watch this unfold. And another baby on the way. This truly is a very sad, sad story. I hope and pray his wife and children have a very good support system in place. They will certainly need it in the immediate months to come and years from now also.

Mary


Hi Mary,

The story says the father was a good swimmer, too.

My prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends. :( :cry:

Eric
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#4 Postby Pburgh » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:29 am

Prayers going out to that family. What a very sad story.
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#5 Postby Skywatch_NC » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:06 am

Just heard on the noon news that a dive team found his body around 10 am ET. :cry:

Eric
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