The search for a man missing after the boat he was in capsized near Fleur de Lys has expanded to include ground search and rescue resources.
The man was one of four people on board the 23-foot open boat when the vessel went down around 3:00 p.m. yesterday approximately 100 metres from the shore and about 1 mile from Fleur de Lys harbour.
RCMP confirm two people are dead, one was rescued and another is missing.
The men were involved in the cod fishery at the time.
The Coast Guard and DND were involved in the search yesterday, including a helicopter and multiple vessels. The effort has now expanded to include land, air and water searches, with help from ground search and rescue teams from Deer Lake, Grand Falls-Windsor and Springdale. The RCMP’s Underwater Recovery team is also engaged.
The lone survivor was assessed by paramedics at the scene and did not require further medical attention.
Reaction to the Tragedy
A friend and fellow fish harvester from Fleur de Lys, was in St. John’s today making a presentation before the Senate hearings on the seal fishery.
Keith Bath says his heart and thoughts are with his friends and family back home.
He broke down while talking to reporters about the tragedy.
“I couldn’t sleep last night” he said choking back tears.
(Photo via Our Town of Fleur De Lys Facebook)
The Mayor of Fleur de Lys, Bob Traverse says the town hall is open to anyone who wants to drop in.
He’s inviting residents to come and sit, “and we’re prepping food and whatnot (for) anyone who wants to talk or chat or a shoulder to cry on.”
FFAW President Greg Pretty says he and the entire membership are heartbroken.
He says their hearts go out to the families, and they’re hoping for the best results possible in terms of the ongoing search.
