A married father and a female boat passenger were killed in an accident on a Louisiana lake after their boats collided.
Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg, was operating a 25-foot pontoon boat when it collided with Thuy Gustin’s Sea Fox boat on the Tickfaw River near Kings Point, about 65 miles from New Orleans, on Sunday.
Gustin, 31, of Springfield, was found trapped beneath the Sea Fox around midnight after it capsized by a good Samaritan, who jumped into the water to save her, according to Fox 8 LiveShe ran her own marketing company.
The mother of two was given CPR until an ambulance arrived and she was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Sharkey, a father of four, was found dead by rescue crews 12 hours later.
Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg (left), was operating a 25-foot pontoon boat when it collided with Thuy Gustin’s Sea Fox boat on the Tickfaw River near Kings Point on Sunday. Gustin, 31, of Springfield (right), was found trapped beneath the Sea Fox after it capsized by a good Samaritan, who jumped into the water to save her.
It is unclear whether his wife, Shelly Verberne Sharkey, was on the boat. A friend suggested she was, but no further details have been shared.
DailyMail.com has contacted Shelly for comment.
Six other people, three from each boat, were injured in the accident and all were taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to Washington State University.
The cause of the accident is unknown. DailyMail.com has contacted the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, which is investigating the accident, for comment.
Six other people, three from each boat, were injured in the accident and all were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The father of four received numerous accolades, including from his company, Sharkey Mechanical Services, which wrote in an article: Facebook Post: ‘His legacy of love, laughter and friendship will never fade. We will continue to keep his memory alive through our work.
“Chase’s unwavering passion for his craft left an indelible mark on everyone he met, and his work ethic was unmatched. He will be greatly missed, but we will continue to thrive in his honor and the legacy he has created.”
Friend, Jonathan Taylor wrote in Facebook: ‘Chase Sharkey was truly one of a kind. The first time I met him he made me feel like we were childhood friends. Chase was a true father and husband. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with his family, but I knew they were his number one priority just from the conversations we had. Chase was also a staple in his church and community.
Sharkey, a father of four (pictured with his family), was found dead by rescue crews 12 hours later.
It is unclear if his wife, Shelly Verberne Sharkey (pictured together), was on the boat. A friend suggested she was, but no further details have been shared.
“I’m grateful to have known him for the past 4 years and I think we can all learn from Chase and how he lived his 36 years on this earth.”
Another friend, Erin Foster, wrote“I knew Chase Sharkey and I loved him. Chase Sharkey was a great friend… One thing is for sure: he loved his wife, his kids, his family, and everyone else’s babies, too.”
Former Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks said in a statement: ‘He loved life. You knew where you stood with Chase and when you were his friend, you were his friend. His word was his pledge and he was honest, sincere and trustworthy.
‘His friendship was genuine and I’m forever grateful for that. One of the things we always talked about, beyond his family and his job and weightlifting, was that he was saved, and he was truly saved. So I know without a doubt that he would say to me, “Boss, don’t worry about my big dog, because I’m sitting here talking to Jesus, so I’m fine.”
“I will miss you, my friend, and I will always be grateful for your friendship over all these years. I love you, my friend!”
Friends remembered Gustin as “so full of life and always ready for the next adventure.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for Gustin’s funeral services, which has raised more than $14,000 of its $25,000 goal.
An equal number of tributes poured in for the mother of two, with her friend Lindsay Picou writing:Thuy… I still can’t believe it.
‘I knew I was going to love you from the moment I met you. You were full of life and always ready for the next adventure. But even with all that spirit, you always went with your heart. You loved everyone around you deeply and made sure they knew it.’
Another friend, Kendra M. Berthelot, wrote in Facebook:’My heart hurts so much today. My beautiful girl, you will be missed so much. I don’t even have the words to tell you. I love you. Rest in peace, angel.’
TO GoFundMe A fund has been set up for Gustin’s funeral services, which has raised more than $14,000 of its $25,000 goal.
TO Food Train A fund has been set up for the Sharkey family, with nearly $3,000 in donations and many meals going to the surviving family.
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