U.S. Navy Seal Remington Peters, 27, was killed on Sunday when his parachute malfunctioned during a Fleet Week event at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

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Navy Seal killed in parachute accident in Jersey City identified

Monday, May 29, 2017 09:47PM
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) --

An investigation is underway into the parachute accident that killed U.S. Navy Seal Remington Peters, 27, on Sunday in New Jersey.

Peters was remembered on Memorial Day during ceremonies at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan, where Mayor Bill de Blasio observed a moment of silence.

"This young special operator's death is an all too real reminder of the hazards our men and women face when building the skills necessary to defending this nation," said Admiral Phil Davidson, commander of U.S. Fleet Command. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and loved ones, and his team this Memorial Day."

The victim's family released his identity on Monday night in a statement:

"Words cannot begin to express our devastation and heartbreak over the passing of our courageous warrior. His accomplishments far outweigh his years. Anyone that has ever had the pleasure of knowing Remi could attest to his fierce loyalty to his friends, family, and his country. He was an angel on earth and role model to all. We couldn't have been more proud of him. He lived life to the fullest and taught us to do the same. Although our time with him was cut short, we are so grateful that we were blessed with such a positive and principled loving man. He is painfully missed. No words could do justice, but we are so grateful for all that he taught us, and all the love he gave us in his 27 wonderful years. Today, we honor our selfless, humble, and quiet professional."

Four SEALs on a parachute team dropped out of a helicopter during a Fleet Week stunt at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, but one of those parachutes did not open.

"One of the team members' parachute malfunctioned. The Navy SEAL's parachute failed to open properly, and he landed in the water adjacent to Liberty State Park," said USN Admiral Jack Scorby, the US Navy Commander of the Mid-Atlantic.

A piece of the parachute fell to the ground, and moments after, the Navy SEAL cut himself loose, and splashed into the water.


Peters was rescued immediately by the US Coast Guard and Marine unit teams who were on standby. He was then rushed to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead an hour later.

"I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community, who lost a true patriot today," added Admiral Scorby.

Peters was a member of the Leap Frogs, an elite US Navy Parachute Team.

Four SEALs were supposed to land in the park. The parachute demonstration was a part of a Fleet Week event. It was part of several events, like an unrelated helicopter demonstration that had many spectators confused and unaware of the tragedy that had just taken place.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, and I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community who lost a true patriot today," said Scorby.

The elite Navy SEAL team cancelled a jump planned for Monday afternoon's Mets game at Citi Field after the death of their parachutist.

In a Facebook post Sunday morning, the Leap Frogs promoted the jump with a photo of a team member descending in a parachute during an earlier jump, an American flag attached to him, saying: "New York City look to the skies at 12:00. We'll be jumping into Liberty State Park today for Memorial Day Weekend and in celebration of Navy Fleet Week."

The accident came nearly two years after a U.S. Army skydiver, who had served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, died from injuries suffered in a midair collision with a Navy jumper during a stunt at the Chicago Air & Water Show that combined the Army Gold Knights and the Navy Leap Frogs parachute teams. The Aug. 16, 2015, accident claimed the life of 32-year-old Master Sgt. Corey Hood, of Cincinnati.

According to the Leap Frogs website, the team has performed every month this year, including at baseball home openers in Philadelphia and San Diego last month and at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado, in January. In June, it is scheduled to perform at Sail Boston 2017 and at Navy Week in Pittsburgh. Stops later this summer include Minneapolis, Chicago and Salt Lake City, Utah.
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U.S. Navy SEAL killed in parachute accident at Fleet Week event in Jersey City

Sunday, May 28, 2017 11:50PM
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A U.S. Navy SEAL was killed on Sunday when his parachute malfunctioned during a Fleet Week event at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

Four SEALs on a parachute team dropped out of a helicopter during a stunt, but one of those parachutes did not open.

"One of the team members' parachute malfunctioned. The Navy SEAL's parachute failed to open properly, and he landed in the water adjacent to Liberty State Park," said USN Admiral Jack Scorby, the US Navy Commander of the Mid-Atlantic.

A piece of the parachute fell to the ground, and moments after, the Navy SEAL cut himself loose, and splashed into the water.

He was rescued immediately by the US Coast Guard and Marine unit teams who were on standby. He was then rushed to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead an hour later.

"I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community, who lost a true patriot today," added Admiral Scorby.

The Navy SEAL was a member of the Leap Frogs, an elite US Navy Parachute Team.

In Jersey City, four SEALs were supposed to land in the park. The parachute demonstration was a part of a Fleet Week event. It was part of several events, like an unrelated helicopter demonstration that had many spectators confused an unaware of the tragedy that had just taken place.

The cause of the parachute malfunction is under investigation.

The Navy SEAL's identity is being withheld pending family notification.

a propane leak caused the explosion that rocked a neighborhood and destroyed a home in Glidewell, MO

GLIDEWELL, Mo. (KY3) - Investigators say a propane leak caused the explosion that rocked a neighborhood and destroyed a home

 
People living along Farm Road 76, near Missouri 13, reported a loud explosion around 5 p.m. The blast shook their houses, rattled windows, and left frightened residents wondering what happened.

According to investigators, the startling boom was caused by leaking propane that filled the basement of the home. Something ignited the gas, causing the explosion that ripped apart a portion of the house.

Amazingly, the homeowner was not injured; he was able to climb out and turn off the propane line leading from the storage tank.

"I was laying on the bedroom floor close to the road with my baby, and I just heard this big explosion. It was kind of loud," said Irina Nothum, who lives across the street. "That was is the first thing on my mind - it was that it was propane because it was so close and it was so loud."

Initially, there was only a minor fire in the basement. The homeowner, neighbors, and a passerby tried to douse the flames while firefighters rolled their way. However, the fire could not be contained. The flames rapidly consumed what was left of the house. Neighbors say the house was engulfed in three minutes time.

"They were trying to put out the fire in the basement, and the policeman came and then I heard the sirens go off. Flames and black smoke were coming up," Nothum said.

The smoke could be seen for miles. In fact, the dark plumes could be seen from near the KY3 studios, which is nearly 14 miles from the house.

It took firefighters from six departments about 45 minutes to knock down the flames. The house was a total loss.

"At that point, when you have two levels fully involved, with the restricted manpower that we do have out here, it becomes a manpower and water supply situation," said Fire Chief Nelson Prewitt, of Ebenezer Fire Protection District

Despite the explosion and intense fire, the homeowner was not injured during the ordeal.

Prewitt said, "With an explosion like that if that occurred, you are just lucky no one was injured."

Unfortunately, he man's pets- including at least two dogs- did perish in the fire.

While the leaking propane was determined to have caused the explosion and blaze, fire investigators are trying to determine what caused the leak in the first place.

The Weld County Coroner said Oscar Lopez Velasquez, 32, of Greeley was killed in the Anadarko Petroleum oil tank explosion and fire Thursday

Coroner releases name of worker killed in oil tank fire near Mead
Posted 3:03 pm, May 27, 2017, by David Mitchell


WELD COUNTY, Colo. — The name of the worker who died in the oilfield-related explosion and fire near Mead this week was released Saturday.

The Weld County Coroner said Oscar Lopez Velasquez of Greeley was killed in the incident Thursday. He was 32 years old.

Three other workers were injured after the oil tank explosion, which happened just more than one month after a home explosion killed two people in the same general area.

The fire started about 3:15 p.m. at an Anadarko Petroleum oil tank battery near Colorado Highway 66 and Weld County Road 13 as workers were doing maintenance work, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office said.

Witnesses said first there was a fire, then the explosion. It sent smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.

The cause of the explosion was under investigation.



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One killed, 3 injured in Anadarko oil tank explosion in Weld County

Posted 4:09 pm, May 25, 2017, by Michael Konopasek and Web Staff, Updated at 09:41PM, May 25, 2017


WELD COUNTY, Colo. -- One person was killed and three others were injured after an oil tank explosion in Weld County on Thursday, just more than one month after a home explosion killed two people in the same general area.

The fire started about 3:15 p.m. at an Anadarko Petroleum oil tank battery near Colorado 66 and Colorado Boulevard as workers were doing maintenance work, the Weld County Sheriff's Office said.

Witnesses said first there was a fire, then the explosion. It sent smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.

The cause of the explosion was under investigation.

Two of the injured workers were taken to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley for burn treatment and one was taken to Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland.

The blast is the latest headache plaguing Anadarko, the company investigators said is at the center of both incidents.

Witnesses said they could feel the explosion from more than a mile away.

"It was like two bombs going off back-to-back," Ken Millette said.

"It was a violent explosion," said Laurie Rayhill, who lives close to the well. "I just saw the smoke, and I took off running, calling 911."

Just a month after the deadly Firestone house explosion, people who live and work in the area are noticeably on edge.  

The anxiety is high as the state continues to monitor underground gas levels and Anadarko works to inspect its wells.

The oil tank battery is just five miles north of the deadly home explosion in Firestone. A new pocket of gas had been discovered in the Firestone neighborhood.

State investigators said they were in contact with Anadarko to learn what went wrong.

Mountain View Fire Rescue said there was no hazard to nearby residents and there were no evacuations.

WEAR YOUR LIFE VEST WHEN BOATING: A major contributor to people dying during boating accidents is that the victims were not wearing a life vest.

Law enforcement urges boating safety after recent accidents

Officials say there were 23 boating related fatalities in 2016.

Saturday, May 27, 2017 11:21PM

DURHAM, North Carolina (WTVD) --

After recent boating incidents, law enforcement agencies around the state are reminding the public about the dangers of operating a boat while under the influence and other hazards on the water.

RELATED: MAN PULLED FROM WATER IN JOHNSTON COUNTY HAS DIED

Boating accidents are unfortunately common this time of the year.

On Saturday, a water rescue was issued to help two boats that collided on Falls Lake. Even though no one was injured, officials said incidents like this are a "very real danger."

Like driving, boating requires care and situational awareness; however, unlike driving, the waters have no lanes, no stop signs, and no traffic lights.

Owner and manager of Rollingview Marina, Brandon Gooch, said one way to reduce danger is to reduce speed, which greatly diminishes a boat's wake.

"Most of the danger comes for kayakers, paddle boaters, and canoers," the third generation dockmaster said. "If they get hit with a rather large wake, they, in turn, can be flipped over."

Wakes can also rattle speed boats.

But the biggest worry for families is drunk boaters.

"When you see someone coming your way, it's a good idea to look around you, look behind you," Gooch said. "When you try to move over, make sure there's no one you're going to cut off."

In 2016, 23 people died in boating accidents in North Carolina. Officials said a major contributor to these deaths is that the victims were not wearing a life vest.

Of the 23 fatalities, only three people were wearing a vest, yet state law requires one life jacket for every person on board.

Overall, authorities investigated 147 boating accidents in 2016.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) was out on the water Saturday in full force, hoping that their presence will help lake goers make smart decisions.

"We hope by being on the lake, seeing us out there (we can make a change)" Brent Ward with the NCWRC said. "If just one person sees us out and doesn't do something they might have done otherwise, it has all been worth it."

For the seventh year, the NCWRC is partnering with the State Highway Patrol and Mothers Against Drunk Driving for "On the Road, On the Water, Don't Drink and Drive," which is a nationally recognized campaign that combines law enforcement resources to ensure the everyone can travel safely during the summer months.

According to the NCWRC, there are five new felony offenses for an operating while intoxicated offense:

• Repeat death by impaired boating- Class B2 felony

• Death by impaired boating- Class D felony

• Aggravated death by impaired boating- Class D felony

• Aggravated serious injury by impaired boating- Class E felony

• Serious injury by impaired boating- Class F felony

Anyone born after 1988 must have a boating license to operate a watercraft.

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Officials: Man pulled from water in Johnston County has died

A man drowned in Johnston County's Holt Lake

Friday, May 26, 2017 06:16PM
JOHNSTON COUNTY, North Carolina (WTVD) -- A man pulled from Holt Lake in Johnston County on Friday has died, officials told ABC11.

Authorities told ABC11 an older man was involved in a boating accident near the dam. Crews on the scene said two people were on two boats on the water. One boat got too close to the dam and got stuck.

The man got out of his boat to help the other boater and lost his footing, causing him to fall in the lake. He was overcome by the current and drowned, officials said.

The other boater was not hurt.

North Carolina Wildlife has been notified and is investigating.



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Fisherman Drowns In Boating Accident
May 26, 2017

 
One person died in a boating accident Friday afternoon. It happened at 3:16pm at Holt’s Lake on Highway 301 South of Smithfield.

Four friends in two separate boats were fishing near the dam when one of the boats became lodged on the spillway at the dam. The other boat and its occupants came to assist their friends. While trying to free the boat one of the men was overcome by the current and drowned. The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of family members.

The three other individuals were not harmed.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. The Smithfield and Four Oaks Fire Departments, Johnston County EMS, Smithfield Police Department and NC Highway Patrol responded to the scene.

12-year-old boy dies, seven injured in separate boat crashes at start of Memorial Day weekend

12-year-old boy dies, seven injured in separate boat crashes at start of Memorial Day weekend
FRANK BUMB and MELISSA MONTOYA , The News-Press Published 11:14 a.m. ET May 27, 2017 | Updated 12 hours ago



(Photo: Cape Coral Police Department)


A 12-year-old boy is dead and seven others are injured after two separate boat crashes on the Caloosahatchee River on Saturday – a tragic start to the Memorial Day weekend.

The first crash occurred around 9 a.m. after a 32-foot vessel struck the Midpoint Memorial Bridge, claiming the life Noah Pollock, 12, who died from his injuries after first responders arrived on scene. His younger brother, 10-year-old Wade Pollock, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition. Their grandfather, Benjamin Tipton, 72 of North Fort Myers, was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital. Their father, Ryan Pollock, 44, suffered minor injuries.

Tipton was listed in fair condition at Lee Memorial Hospital on Saturday night. Attempts to reach the Pollock family were unsuccessful Saturday.

A second single-vessel crash, about a half-mile from the first, injured four others, said Brian Norris, public information officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the agency investigating both crashes.


The second crash occurred at around 1:30 p.m. about a few hundred yards offshore from Jaycee Park, Norris said. One man was ejected from the boat and transported to Cape Coral Hospital. A second male and two women suffered minor injuries, he said.

Investigators were still determining what caused the two boat crashes.

“We don’t know the cause of either one of the crashes yet,” he said. “The second investigation is very preliminary.”

The morning crash happened as the father and grandfather and two children made their way west through the canal beneath the Midpoint Bridge, with their ultimate destination being the Florida Keys.

Norris said investigators were still looking into whether excessive speed or other factors played a role.

The Florida Department of Transportation inspected the bridge and is assessing the damage. At no point was the bridge closed to road traffic.


The Everest Boat Ramp in Cape Coral was closed as emergency responders used it as a staging area to conduct both crash investigations. The ramp will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time as the investigations continue.

Norris said the response by Cape Coral Police Department, FWC, Fort Myers Police Department, local fire departments and other agencies was swift.

“Most of the agencies were already out on the water,” Norris said. “This is Memorial Day weekend so we’re all hands on deck. Unfortunately, this is not how we wanted to start the weekend.”