Man dies at Gilford Town Docks

[eillac@dow]

Just saw this. Very sad, one man lost his life and the other in the hospital.

There’s so many unanswered questions as to how this happened on Lake Winnipesaukee. I wasn’t up there yesterday...was it a particularly windy day?

I am attaching the link (although I don’t think I’m doing that correctly so I’m also doing a screenshot from Facebook)

https://www.wmur.com/article/one-man-dead-another-being-treated-after-falling-into-water-at-gilford-town-docks/33590370#

[joey2665]

Just saw this. Very sad, one man lost his life and the other in the hospital.

There’s so many unanswered questions as to how this happened on Lake Winnipesaukee. I wasn’t up there yesterday...was it a particularly windy day?

I am attaching the link (although I don’t think I’m doing that correctly so I’m also doing a screenshot from Facebook)

https://www.wmur.com/article/one-man-dead-another-being-treated-after-falling-into-water-at-gilford-town-docks/33590370#

Link works. Thank you. Very odd it wasn’t overly windy yesterday. So sad.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=92687)

[Slickcraft]

Yes very sad, maybe an islander or visitor. Wind was 8 to 10 from WNW but would be light at the docks. An unsecured boat on the east side of a dock could drift away.

[map]

Wow. So sad. There has to be more to this story. They couldn’t hold on? They couldn’t swim? No one around to help them up?

[thinkxingu]

Few things worse than a joyful activity becoming deadly. I often think of that accident where the father turned the boat around to grab his lost had and killed his child—I can't imagine what it would feel like boating afterward, if I ever did.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=92687)

[ishoot308]

I couldn't believe it when someone sent me the link to the story this morning. I was at the docks a couple times yesterday and many of my fishing friends were as well...No one knows or heard anything about it...

Dan

[ishoot308]

I can update this from what I have now confirmed...

The person who died was a long time resident of Welch Island. He was a neighbor about 5 camps from me. For many years he has been caring for someone with special needs.

From what I was told from someone at the scene, the accident occurred when the special needs person they believe had a heart attack at the dock and fell in the water. The other person, who was a senior and in very poor health, jumped in to try and save him and had a heart attack and never regained consciousness.

I do not want to mention any names as they have not been made public and out of respect for the family.

This is a very sad and tragic accident.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families involved...

Dan

[Biggd]

That's just awful news! My sympathy goes out to the family.

[eillac@dow]

So very sad. My sympathies and prayers go out to the family.

[WeLoveTheLake]

Our deepest condolences to the family.

[Phantom]

Although it now makes sense of the incident ………. How AWFUL ! :(.

[fatlazyless]

Could this death be an electric shock drowning coming from a stray electric current present in the water, coming from the town dock? ...... :eek:

[ishoot308]

Could this death be an electric shock drowning coming from a stray electric current present in the water, coming from the town dock? ...... :eek:

Did you not read my "Update" post...:rolleye1::rolleye1:

[Biggd]

Did you not read my "Update" post...:rolleye1::rolleye1:He couldn't hear you he was in his electric chair.:emb:

[fatlazyless]

A stray current causing a drowning and a heart attack/drowning sound very similar to one, another?

Seems prudent for the MP to test the water at the dock for electric current in the water ....... don't you agree!

[ishoot308]

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/community/obituaries/james-p-murphy-jr-66/article_9c0fc31e-dd99-11ea-933a-2b3d5bccba0b.html

Dan

[map]

Omg. Such a horrible tragedy.

[dickiej]

I hnow there is a lot of controversy regarding wearing a pfd whenever you are on the water (boat and dock) but for a good read, try "Suddenly Overboard" by Tom Lochhaas. Fascinating stories about boaters who met an untimely, quirky fate who probably would have survived had they been wearing a pfd...one story in particular about someone who sailed around the world and survived numerous close calls, only to arrive back in his home port and slip getting into his dink, hit his head and drown! Had he been wearing a pfd, which he did the entire sailing trip, he probably would have survived.

[ApS]

I hnow there is a lot of controversy regarding wearing a pfd whenever you are on the water (boat and dock) but for a good read, try "Suddenly Overboard" by Tom Lochhaas. Fascinating stories about boaters who met an untimely, quirky fate who probably would have survived had they been wearing a pfd...one story in particular about someone who sailed around the world and survived numerous close calls, only to arrive back in his home port and slip getting into his dink, hit his head and drown! Had he been wearing a pfd, which he did the entire sailing trip, he probably would have survived.
Only one type of PFD will keep an unconscious victim face-up.

[gravy boat]

Could this death be an electric shock drowning coming from a stray electric current present in the water, coming from the town dock? ...... :eek:

Two heart attacks at the same time would be extremely remote. And quite the coincidence. So very sad ... prayers to the family

[gillygirl]

Perhaps the time for Monday morning quarterbacking is not now.

Condolences to family and friends of those involved.


Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=92687)

[ishoot308]

Two heart attacks at the same time would be extremely remote. And quite the coincidence. So very sad ... prayers to the family

If this had anything to do with electricity, I would suspect that the other people there who jumped in to help would have also been affected. Also, it is “believed” they had a heart attack, nothing has been confirmed....

If you knew the people involved you would understand better...

Dan

[Phantom]

Seriously -

We now know the facts .... let’s drop this & let the families grieve in peace.

Beyond families, it may also be members of this forum who were close to them.

This thread is closed in my mind.

[MAXUM]

I hnow there is a lot of controversy regarding wearing a pfd whenever you are on the water (boat and dock) but for a good read, try "Suddenly Overboard" by Tom Lochhaas. Fascinating stories about boaters who met an untimely, quirky fate who probably would have survived had they been wearing a pfd...one story in particular about someone who sailed around the world and survived numerous close calls, only to arrive back in his home port and slip getting into his dink, hit his head and drown! Had he been wearing a pfd, which he did the entire sailing trip, he probably would have survived.

When I was going through US Navy boot camp of course we are trained to survive on the water and put into situations not typically experienced while engaging in recreationally. Several things struck me as I was going through this - mind you at 18 years old and an avid swimmer. Treading water for 20+ minutes starts to tire you out, and that is in a climate controlled flat calm pool. What this gentleman did in saving the life of the other who fell overboard is exceptionally difficult as we also were trained in these scenarios. The difference here is that we were first trained with 100 lb sand bags, then eventually with a partner in the water with NO PFD or floatation help whatsoever. Treading water for just a few minutes with a person your size and weight is incredibly difficult with no help at all. Having just one of those throwables makes a HUGE difference. Now consider this, if one of the individuals involved had special needs and was not used to being in or comfortable in the water what's the likelihood that the deceased gentleman was not just struggling to save this individual, but struggling physically with a person who may very well have been in a panic as well.

The man who died is a true hero for what he did, and while his loss of life is so tragic and sad, his family can at least know he gave his life to save another.

[rick35]

After reading the LaDaSun today it sounds like Mr. Murphy was a hero even before the event at the dock happened.

[JEEPONLY]

I have had people-younger/older-step off off a boat that was already tied to the dock after a beautiful day on the lake. They fell (dropped straight down) in to the triangle created by the dock line, the boat bow and the dock. There was little room to jump and help them. Both ended well.

My point is- safety should not be taken for granted, at any time!

[Jdarby]

I can update this from what I have now confirmed...

The person who died was a long time resident of Welch Island. He was a neighbor about 5 camps from me. For many years he has been caring for someone with special needs.

From what I was told from someone at the scene, the accident occurred when the special needs person they believe had a heart attack at the dock and fell in the water. The other person, who was a senior and in very poor health, jumped in to try and save him and had a heart attack and never regained consciousness.

I do not want to mention any names as they have not been made public and out of respect for the family.

This is a very sad and tragic accident.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families involved...

Dan

I am heartbroken to hear this! We have a special needs son and cannot imagine a nightmare like this. Deepest sympathies and prayers for this family. If there are any charities enacted to assist this family, please post the details. The lake should only be a source of joy to all! Be well!

[Phantom]

For those who did not see the article referred to above in the LaDaSun

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news/local/man-dies-after-trying-to-help-companion-who-slipped-getting-on-boat/article_ff35b0c0-dda8-11ea-a6e6-7fc7221b0f02.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share.