Virginia Marine Police are investigating a boating collision that happened after dark on the Elizabeth River Wednesday night. An eight-year-old child and a 36-year-old man are dead, another man was injured in the crash.
Marine Police say a 19-foot Carolina Skiff impacted the 59-foot tugboat Miss Judy near the Jordan Bridge, reported around 9:15 p.m. Both vessels were underway at the time, and the Skiff was reportedly out fishing.
Coast Guard Station Portsmouth, US Navy, Virginia Marine Police, Norfolk Fire-Rescue, Chesapeake Fire-
Rescue and the Chesapeake Police Department all responded to the scene. The boat’s operator, David Myatt, 36, of Chesapeake, was pronounced dead on the scene. A boating companion, Matthew Tillman, 37, suffered minor injuries. An eight-year-old boy was rushed to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in serious condition, but later succumbed to his injuries.
According to Virginia Marine Police Chief Matthew Rogers, the child was the only person confirmed to be wearing a life jacket on the Skiff.
Chief Rogers says the tugboat was operating all of its appropriate and required lighting, while the Skiff had a green and red running light, but no all-around stern light. Police aren’t releasing any cause as the investigation continues, but in a press release they gave this statement:
“The Marine Police and Virginia Marine Resources Commission offers its deepest condolences to the family of
the deceased and those involved in the accident.”
-Meg Walburn Viviano
