The Plymouth County district attorney says no criminal charges will be filed in the fatal drowning of an 8-year-old boy in a boating accident in Wareham, Massachusetts.
The Standard-Times reports that District Attorney Timothy Cruz made the announcement this week about the July 26 accident, which led to the death of Harry O'Connor of Sudbury.
Authorities say 12 passengers were on the 20-foot power boat, including nine children, when it capsized near Hog Island Channel in Buzzards Bay. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Nicole Groll said someone on a private vessel nearby had spotted the 18-foot boat and called for help.
By the time Martin Van Breems and his crew on the Disco Volante got to the scene, there were parents and children from three different families in the water.
"The people in the water were screaming and crying. One kid couldn’t be accounted for. It was heartbreaking," Van Breems said. "I heard one daughter scream, 'I love you mom'. They were scared."
Van Breems said his crew, co-captain and four students had just finished practicing man overboard drills.
"My co-captain spotted the over turned boat and people in water," he recalled.
Massachusetts
The latest news from around the state
Everyone had on a life jacket and Van Breems' crew was able to get most of the victims out of the water.
O'Connor was underwater for an estimated 24 minutes before he was rescued. He was taken to Tobey Hospital and was then taken by medical helicopter to Boston Children's Hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death.
The other 11 people on board did not suffer serious injuries.
