N.J. man dies in Maine kayaking accident, wife survives
Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on June 27, 2016 at 9:07 AM, updated June 27, 2016 at 5:04 PM
A 54-year-old Union County man was among two people who died when their kayaks overturned in chilly water off the Maine coast last week. The man's wife was found by a lobsterman and survived.
Michael Popper of Plainfield and registered tour guide Ed Brackett, 63, likely died of hypothermia after being found two miles offshore, halfway between Cranberry Point and Petit Manan Island, the Maine Department of Marine Resources said in a news release.
Michael PopperFacebook Popper's wife, Jennifer Popper, 48, was brought to a local hospital after spending hours in the 52-degree ocean Wednesday.
The couple and Brackett, of Birch Harbor, Maine, began their expedition about noon wearing shorts and T-shirts. At some point a passing weather front caused waves of three to five feet to capsize the kayaks and the group became separated, authorities said.
A search, which included the Coast Guard and the Maine Marine Patrol, began after the trio didn't return at a pre-determined time. Jennifer Popper was pulled from the water at about 8 p.m. Rescuers located Brackett at 8:30 p.m. and Michael Popper at about 9:50 p.m., BangorDailyNews.com reported.
All were wearing life jackets.
The kayaking accident is the second serious incident involving a New Jersey resident in Maine this month.
Earlier in June, 68-year-old Glen Ridge man fell to his death off a cliff while taking pictures of the sunset.