Three adults and two children were rescued after a boat started sinking Monday in the North Landing River off the Currituck County mainland.
The incident happened off Brumsey Road, north of Currituck courthouse, at 12 p.m., said Currituck County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeff Walker.
The operator of the vessel stated that he realized his boat was taking water and informed his family, according to a report filed by N.C. Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Jeff Doran.
“His mother jumped off of the boat with the two minor children and swam them away from the vessel for fear of getting sucked under water if the boat fully sank,” Doran said.
Sgt. Kevin McCord, Deputy Krystal Smith, an off-duty Kill Devil Hills police officer whose name was not immediately available, and Brumsey Road resident Delmar Hasselbacher, rescued the boaters who were floating in the water about one-half mile offshore.
No injuries were reported, and the boat was also retrieved from the water.
N.C. Wildlife Law Enforcement Sgt. John Beardsley said upon further investigation, it was discovered that a bilge pump hose near the bow had become disconnected which allowed water to pour into the boat.
“The vessel became swamped with water, however due to modern boat designs did not sink completely,” Beardsley said.
