1 man killed, another 2 injured in boat crash in Black Lake, New York
Allen Lighthall found dead in Black Lake
UPDATED 8:44 AM EDT Jul 07, 2016
1 man killed, another 2 injured in boat crash in Black Lake, New York
MORRISTOWN, N.Y. —State police said a New Hampshire man was killed in a northern New York boating accident that left his son and brother injured.
Troopers said Allen Lighthall, 51, of Milford, was operating a 17-foot powerboat when it hit a rock in Black Lake, causing his son Scott, 13, to be thrown over the bow at about 8 a.m. Wednesday.
They said the father dove in to help his son but both went under. A passing boater rescued the boy, who is in critical, but stable condition at a Syracuse Hospital.
Divers recovered his father's body after nearly two hours of searching. Neither was wearing a life preserver.
Allen Lighthall's brother, Edward Lighthall, 51, of Prospect, New York, was treated for cuts.
Black Lake is in the St. Lawrence County town of Morristown, 116 miles north of Syracuse.
"All three occupants were from out of the area and apparently they were unfamiliar with the area that they were boating in," Dan Basford, Lawrence County Deputy Fire Coordinator said.
Neighbors of Allen Lighthall said she was devoted to his family.
"Always saw him with Scott, always saw him showing Scott how to run the lawnmower," Melissa Briggs said. "Just a really great dad, nice guy."
Police in New York said none of three on the boat were wearing life jackets, and fire officials said if it weren't an immediate response, there may have been three fatalities instead of one.