Two men died after their fishing boat capsized on the Chesapeake Bay Saturday morning.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources police confirmed the deaths to News4 Saturday afternoon. The Coast Guard identified them as David Carlton Fletcher, 43, and David Michael Chase, 55. Both men were from Lexington Park, Md. Four other people, including at least one teenager, were rescued from the 23-foot vessel. The sinking occurred approximately two miles south of Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary's County.
The Coast Guard said in a statement that watchstanders overheard a broadcast by a local charter captain at around 8:30 a.m. Saturday asking for any assistance in locating the overturned boat. The charter captain told the Coast Guard that he had received a call from the sister of one of the people on the boat. The woman was told by her sister that the boat was taking on water, before communications were lost.
Boat crews from the Coast Guard, St. Mary's County Fire and rescue, Maryland Natural Resources Police, and helicopter crews from Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Maryland Police responded to the scene.
Saturday was the first day of the spring striped bass season on the Chesapeake, traditionally a big draw for anglers.
An investigation into the capsizing is ongoing.Police are looking at several possible contributing factors, including high winds and rough waves.The boat has not been recovered.
Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for more information on this developing story.
