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By J. ALAN BRIYS Havelock Bureau NORTH HARLOWE — For the se cond day, blustery winds and choppy seas hampered the search in the Neuse River this morning for a Carteret County man missing since a Tuesday boating accident. Three to four waves sent at least one rescue crew back in for a larger boat Thursday as the recovery opera tion continued for 22-year-old Billy Morton. Three-year-old Christopher Waine Morton, son of Billy and Elizabeth Morton of Broad Creek, drowned about 6 p.m. Tuesday several hours after the 16-foot aluminum ton boat he was in capsized with his father and , Daniel Morton, aboard. Daniel Morton, 40, was rescued about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday after he clung to the boat more than 18 hours. Winds reportedly gusted up to 25 mph at the time of the accident. Winds gusted up to about 22 mph in the area Thursday. IMPROVED CONDITION condition and is expected to leave the intensive care unit today, she said. At least six boats and more than 20 people fought the treacherous waters of the Neuse River Thursday in the recovery attempt. The search area stetches from about a half-mile out in the river from Clubfoot Creek where the boat was found to Wiggins Point .The problem is the wind direction. The wind right now is coming straight down what we call the mouth of the river (creating) three and sometimes four-foot waves in the area we are trying to work. Small craft just can't work.’ Stanley Kite Craven EMS director about 7 a.m. Wednesday. “Basically we're are the area where the boat was located as a focal point,”’ Stanley Kite, Craven County's director of Emergency Medical Ser vices, said Thursday at Matthews Point Marina, for the effort. The water is very, very the problem is the wind direc tion,” said Kite. ‘“The wind right now is coming straight down what we call the mouth of the river (creating) three and sometimes four-foot waves in the area we are trying to work. Small craft just can’t work.” Roger Cope of the New Bern- Craven County Rescue Squad said they started taking on water in a smaller boat when they ran into water. I got to the channel marker ! There were a lot of white caps and the water conditions forced us to turn back, ’ Cope said. ‘“‘The water’s so rough it's hard to see anything.” Cope returned and boarded a larger boat to continue the search. while de oe assistant chief of the Harlowe Fire Department, handl ed communications from the marina while his wife, Pat, prepared hot cof fee, soup and sandwiches for rescuers. FRUSTRATED SEARCHERS with the conditions, which also made it necessary to ensure the safety and location of the rescue craft. On a fishing trip, the Morton family was camping at Shady View Beach, also known as City Field, which is located on the south side of the Neuse River between the Minnesota ferry station and Clubfoot Creek. The father, son and grandfather were due back from fishing about 6 p.m. Tues day, but when they had not arrived a call was placed at 8:55 p.m. to the Craven County Sheriff's Office. The boat is believed to have capsiz ed around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. When it overturned, the anchor fell, holding the vessel in place. Only a small por tion of the boat remained above sea pgp 2 eggs oegg onto it overnight, according to reports. Billy Morton put his life preserver on the child and reportedly headed for shore. The child was found with two life preservers, reports stated. A search was started and eventual ly included rescue crews from Craven, Pamlico and Carteret coun ties, search and rescue helicopter “Pedro” from Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, boats, a helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Elizabeth City station, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission boats and private vessels. A trust fund for the Morton family has been set up at a Morehead City bank. To contribute, send donations to the Morton family trust fund, Wachovia Bank and Trust Co., P.O. Box 989, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Staff photo by J. Alan Errys WAITING — Melissa Morton, right, sister of missing Carteret resident Billy Morton, waits Wednesday at a North Harlowe marina for word of the search.
Newspaper Details
New Bern Sun Journal
New Bern, North Carolina, US
Fri, May 27, 1988
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
James S.
