Fatal boat accident on Otter Lake
On Monday, July 9, 2018, State Police responded to a boat collision with injuries located on Otter Lake in the town of Forestport.
Investigation revealed that Francis R. Eckrich, 45, was operating his 2000 Lowe boat at a high rate of speed on the lake. A tube was attached to his boat towing his 12-year-old son Kaden Eckrich and another child. Mr. Eckrich encounters a pontoon boat anchored on the lake and at the last second takes evasive action to avoid colliding with the pontoon boat.
This evasive movement causes Kaden Eckrich (age 12) to be ejected from the tube, striking the pontoon boat causing massive internal injuries. Kaden was pronounced deceased at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica. The other child on the tube, age 12 was also ejected from the tube but was not injured.
The investigation into the incident is still under investigation.
State Police were assisted at the scene by the town of Webb Police Department and Otter Lake Fire Department.