Friday October, 4 2019 @ 11:56

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1

Location: New Rd and Coastal Hwy Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

On Friday, October 4, 2019, the Indian River (80) and Bethany Beach (70) fire companies were alerted to assist Rehoboth Beach (86) Volunteer Fire Company with a water rescue incident in the Rehoboth Bay off of New Road and Coastal Highway.  It was reported that a kite boarder was having difficulty or in distress.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Utility 80-8 with 80 Marine 1 from the Oak Orchard facility, Brush 80-0 with 80 Marine 2 and Engine #80-1 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response crew assignments included responding to Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp and prepare for launching.  Assignments were to respond to the New Road, Tower Road and/or Hunting Lodge locations off of Coastal Highway.  Both marine units responded accordingly and were given search pattern assignments.

80 Marine 1 was assigned to search from the hunting lodge area off the shoreline in a northerly direction to New Road – Tower Road area.  80 Marine 2 was assigned to search from the hunting lodge area off the shoreline in a southerly direction.

Additional resources from the United States Coast Guard marine units (Indian River Inlet Squadron) and aviation units (Atlantic City NJ Squadron), the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit (Trooper #2) and ground units, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control – Fish and Wildlife Units.  All Units were given specific search pattern assignments

Additional information may be obtained by viewing the following websites:

1. Delaware State Police - https://dsp.delaware.gov/2019/10/04/state-police-conducting-death-investigation-related-to-kite-boarding-accident-south-of-dewey-beach/ 

State Police Conducting Death Investigation Related to Kite Boarding Accident-South of Dewey Beach

South of Dewey Beach– The Delaware State Police are conducting a death investigation related to a kite boarding accident that occurred earlier this afternoon.

On October 4, 2019, at approximately 12:43 p.m., Troopers responded to the Towers Bay area of the Delaware Seashore State Park in reference to a kite boarder.  It was learned that at approximately 11:00 a.m., a 48-year-old male met with his father at the Towers Bay area of the Delaware Seashore State Park (bayside off Coastal Highway south of Dewey Beach), and was practicing kite boarding by using only the harness and kite (no board) while standing in the water.  Due to heavy winds, the victim was pulled farther and farther out into deeper water.  The father called 911 and Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resource Police initiated a search of the area.

At approximately 1:37 p.m., the male victim of Bear, DE, was located by the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resource Police deceased along the shore south of the original location.  The victim’s name is being withheld at this time pending the notification of next of kin.  The Delaware Division of Forensic Science was contacted to remove the victim and to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

2. Delaware News Journal - https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/delaware/2019/10/04/body-found-rehoboth-bay-delaware/3868465002/ 

Delaware man, 48, found dead in Rehoboth Bay

Taylor Goebel, Salisbury Daily Times Published 5:09 p.m. ET Oct. 4, 2019 | Updated 6:58 p.m. ET Oct. 4, 2019

After a nearly two-hour search-and-rescue attempt following a distressed call to authorities, a 48-year-old Delaware man was found dead in the Rehoboth Bay on Friday afternoon, according to authorities.

Delaware State Police said at about 11 a.m., the man met with his father at the Towers Bay area of the Delaware Seashore State Park and was practicing kiteboarding by using only the harness and kite, without his board, while standing in the water.

Heavy winds pushed the victim into deeper water. The father called 911, and Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resource Police initiated a search of the area.

The Coast Guard station at Indian River Inlet launched a rescue attempt, along with Air Station Atlantic City and local fire companies. Delaware State Police also utilized a helicopter during the search, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer George Freeman.

At about 1:37 p.m., the body of the Bear man was found and recovered from the bay, near Tower Road and less than a mile south of Dewey Beach, officials said. The victim's name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.