KAYAK ANGLER KILLED

[Harold Scoggins]

Kayak angler Trace Richardson was killed this past Monday when a power boat hit his kayak in waters off Harbor Island, Texas. When kayaking in waters shared by power boats, make sure you can be seen. (Flag, lights, etc.) He leaves behind a young wife.

[Paul Roberts]

Oh... Tragic. It can be hard to see in front of your speeding boat, esp if one is running far and/or... watching sonar. Not sure a flag will work in all situations. I have one though, and keep my eyes wide open for boats.

[Shane Y]

Very sad. I know the water is open to us kayakers going wherever we want just like anyone else but I tend to hug the shore. Even then I have had some real close calls. Be safe out there guys. Prayers to this mans family. 

[Harold Scoggins]

This one really got me thinking. I think I'm going out later and picking up one of those hand held air horns to carry beside the seat.

[Fishingmickey]

I've also thought of using a strobe in addition to the 360 light on my kayak. I have two 20" Blue LED's mounted on my bow I use in low light conditions. The man was killed in a very high traffic area at the coast in Texas, I have not heard if the "power boater" turned themselves in. I believe the accident occurred early Saturday morning.

FM

[Darren.]

That's awful news. Just awful. I've a healthy fear of big water that

is shared by motor boats. In fact, gonna hit Lake Gaston this summer

and will do as I did before, hug the shorelines and hit areas w/o a lot

of boat traffic.

 

Normally, it's electric-only lakes, smaller waters, or shore hugging.

 

I grieve for his wife and family.

[Harold Scoggins]

1 hour ago, Fishingmickey said:

I believe the accident occurred early Saturday morning.

My bad, they found the body and kayak Monday.

[WCWV]

That's sad.

I know in my home waters you have to really pay attention, mostly young people paddling across big open water. I know of one boy who would paddle out and lay down and go to sleep, I told him he was crazy. 

If I was a kayak fishing, I think I would have a flag mounted, like the ones you see on bicycles 

[Sam]

Very upsetting topic. Hate to lose anyone.

 

In Virginia rivers we have lots of kayakers who mind their own business.

 

You then throw in the bass boat dummies who go way too fast in the creeks and rivers and you have a recipe for a disaster.

 

I always go slow in creeks just to make sure I have total boat control (easier said than done) and I keep an eye out for kayakers especially on turns when you want to avoid the shallow bottom in a turn and a kayak is in the deep part of the turn.

 

T&P to the family of the young man.

 

 

[Crankin4Bass]

That's really sad. I just read he has a 1 year old and his wife is pregnant too.

[Hook2Jaw]

I bet whoever ran him over wasn't even watching.  Great job, whoever you are.  Googan jerk.

[J Francho]

Man, that's tragic.

[Harold Scoggins]

4 hours ago, Crankin4Bass said:

I just read he has a 1 year old and his wife is pregnant too.

Yes, they had a 1 year old daughter and his wife is pregnant. Police arrested a man who they believe is responsible, buffing out damage to his boat in his driveway. No other details available at this time.

[Choporoz]

USCG Auxiliary gave our club some sheets of paddle tip reflector kits.  About 6" diameter silver stickers for paddle blades.  Great idea.  Even silver duct tape might do the same

[Hower08]

3 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I bet whoever ran him over wasn't even watching.  Great job, whoever you are.  Googan jerk.

This is a ****** up thing to say. Is it possible the guy wasn't paying attention sure. Is it likely? No, with the speeds boats run, taking focus off the task at hand for a split second can prove catastrophic. You think the person that hit the kayaker isn't mentally ****** now? I personally know someone that was involved in a fatal car accident that was the other person's fault this was almost 20 years ago and daily they struggle with the fact they are the one that killed the other person

[J Francho]

Sounds like the only struggle this guy had was buffing out the blood stains.  Did your friend leave the scene and try to hide the evidence?

 

Look at this video.  You want to know how it happened?  The driver wasn't paying attention.  I'm not buying your victim story, AT ALL.

 

 

[Hook2Jaw]

2 minutes ago, Hower08 said:

This is a ****** up thing to say. Is it possible the guy wasn't paying attention sure. Is it likely? No, with the speeds boats run, taking focus off the task at hand for a split second can prove catastrophic. You think the person that hit the kayaker isn't mentally ****** now? I personally know someone that was involved in a fatal car accident that was the other person's fault this was almost 20 years ago and daily they struggle with the fact they are the one that killed the other person

The "poor" perpetrator apparently didn't even turn himself in or report the collision, but as J said just now, was buffing out blood stains.  How do you expect me to sympathize with that?

 

I don't even care for you to answer the question.  If you want to run your fingers at me more, please, send me a PM.

[928JLH]

Terrible outcome and my sincere condolences for his family. Be safe out there and always wear a PFD. 

[Hower08]

I didn't see nor read the story and no the person I know did not leave the scene. I don't play victim for anything so we can drop that **** right there. The fact the person left the scene is where and why I fully support the death penalty for ******** that do **** like this

[Hook2Jaw]

If you didn't see or read the story, how can you expect to form an opinion on the matter?

 

Two, why are you coming in here all aggressive with the big bad curse words?

 

Slow your roll, dude.

[Hower08]

Just how I talk nothing personal or agressive and I guess thats what you get when you just scan through the comments

[J Francho]

No one wants to run over a kayaker, but there has to be some additional accountability for leaving the scene, and hiding the evidence.  It's truly sickening to me.

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

but there has to be some additional accountability for leaving the scene, and hiding the evidence

Tampering with Evidence can be a state or federal felony with prison time up to 20 years.

 

My opinion - throw the book at this whacko.

[slonezp]

My home water is the busiest freshwater waterway per acre in the U.S. There are multiple deaths every year as the result of people not paying attention and/or intoxication. I don't know what the circumstances in the above mentioned consisted of.

I'm hardly a defensive driver in my car, possibly even offensive, but out on the lake we all need to be aware of our surroundings. We need extra common sense to make up for the lack of common sense from others. I don't kayak, but if I did, I'd want to make myself as visible as possible. I would also use a little common sense on when and where I'm paddling. I do that now in a 20ft boat. I fish early during the summer. I know the water I fish and I know what places  to avoid. 

[Harold Scoggins]

UPDATE:

I talked with Det Mike Luna this afternoon, and although he could not give any information about the individual under investigation, he did give information about the equipment (or lack of) used by Trace Richardson during the time of the accident.

Time of accident: Before dawn

Kayak make: Lifetime Tamarack

Lights: None

Flag: None

PFD: None

Note: An empty box for a head lamp was found in Trace's truck, but it wasn't on his body when it was found.

My final thoughts: We share the waters with larger boats. Our kayaks sit much lower to the water and as such, we should take every precaution that allows us to be seen by other boats. I will talk about the importance of wearing a PFD until I'm blue in the face. Use a flag and rear nav light on the stern of your kayak. BE SEEN!