Three dead in boating accident in Brunswick

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Three people are dead and one survived after a boating accident Wednesday night in Brunswick.

The accident happened around 6:30 p.m. on the Brunswick River west of the Sidney Lanier Bridge.

The recreational boat, which had four men on board, started experiencing rough seas and capsized, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Stephen Lehman. However, the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

One of the boaters, who had a life jacket, made it to shore safely, according to Chief Franklin Wallace. The survivor called 911 for help from a cellphone.

The survivor, who was identified as Marcus Collins, was taken to the hospital and has been released, according Capt. Bob Lynn from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

The remains of a man were found Wednesday night near the shore. The victim was identified by Lynn as Michael Troup, Sr.

The search was suspended around midnight due to rough conditions, and started again at daylight.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources search crew found the body of the second boater at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday near the Sidney Lanier Bridge, according to the Coast Guard. The victim was identified as Rico Scott, Lynn said.

"I just want to tell my dad I love him," said Rico Scott's son, Jaquan.

The boat was recovered by search crews. There were life jackets on the boat, but the jackets were stored in the front compartment of the vessel, Lynn said. The number of life jackets on the boat have not been counted at this time.

The third body was recovered in the Brunswick River sometime before 11:15 a.m., according to the USCG.

Michael Troup Jr. says fishing was his father’s passion.

In fact, Michael Troup Sr. wanted to open his own seafood restaurant.

“He loved fishing,” the younger Troup said. “He could go every day, and be out there all day.”

Then, family members say, he’d provide for everyone.

“He loved to cook and he’d go out there and get that fish and cook it up for you,” said former wife Sherill Lewis. “When he cooked that fish, he really made the atmosphere loving.”

Troup owned the boat he and three other men took on a fishing trip in the Brunswick River.

Investigators say the boat capsized Wednesday night under rough water conditions. The bodies of Troup, James Fuller and Rico Scott were found not far from the accident.

A fourth man, Marcus Collins, was wearing a life jacket and survived.

Willie Dewitt Troup says his son was a good swimmer and experienced fisherman.

The senior Troup says he believes the boat may not have been large enough.

“It was a little heavy with four people on it,” he said. “By the wind coming up and this big wave, it was just too much.”