Man dies in boating accident near White Marsh in Columbus County
WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A 72-year-old man died following a boating incident in Columbus County, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission .
The incident happened Thursday between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. near Highway 74/76 at White Marsh, close to Red Hill Road off Puncheon Branch.
Wildlife officers say two men launched separate single-person creek boats and began fishing near the north side of the highway. One of the men told investigators he and Charles D. Godwin floated downstream toward the highway bridge before turning back upstream.
The man said he exited his boat onto the shoreline south of the bridge to take a break. Before stepping out, he handed Godwin a fishing rod and told him to continue fishing under the bridge.
About 15 to 20 minutes later, Simmons said he noticed Godwin’s boat floating downstream upside down, with no sign of Godwin. Simmons returned to the water to investigate and called out for his fishing partner but received no response.
Simmons then saw what appeared to be a body floating face down under the bridge. He pulled Godwin to the nearest shoreline and called 911.
Emergency crews responded and transported Godwin to Columbus County Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and hospital staff later notified family members at the hospital.
Wildlife officers recovered Godwin’s boat and found an orange Type II personal flotation device tied to the bow. Investigators say Simmons reported that Godwin was not wearing the life jacket while fishing.
