Did you hear about the capsized boat in Alaska that, sadly, claimed the lives of a family of four? Well, some people survived – and the stories they have to tell about the ordeal are shocking.
This is the story of one survivor, who described how the family very quickly…disappeared.
At a glance:
- A Texas family of four, the Maynards, was officially declared dead after their boat capsized off the coast of Alaska in early August.
- Despite a 30-hour search by the U.S. Coast Guard, the family was not found, and a jury determined they died by accidental drowning.
- Survivors of the incident testified about the tragic moments when the boat sank, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with unexpected expenses.
A family of four from Texas has been declared dead nearly two months after their boat capsized off the coast of Alaska. David Maynard, 42, his wife Mary, 37, and their two children, 11-year-old Colton and 7-year-old Brantley, went missing on August 3rd when their 28-foot boat overturned about 16 miles from Homer Spit. Despite a 30-hour search by the U.S. Coast Guard, the family was never found.
Four other passengers aboard the boat were rescued, but the Maynards vanished in the frigid Alaskan waters. The survivors recalled the tragic incident in a court hearing, describing how the boat quickly tipped and sank. During a presumptive death hearing held on September 19, a six-member jury declared the Maynards officially dead due to accidental drowning.
The captain of the boat testified that after one of the engines failed, the vessel began to take on water. Despite efforts to save the Maynards, the boat sank rapidly, leaving the family lost at sea. Survivors recounted their desperate attempts to rescue them, but the Maynards were never seen again.
The Coast Guard explained that the cold waters significantly reduced the family’s chances of survival, with a cold survival time estimated at 9.7 hours. The search was called off after 24 hours, and the jury’s decision brought some closure to the tragic situation.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family, raising over $21,000 so far to assist with unexpected expenses following the tragedy. The community continues to mourn the loss of the Maynard family, who were remembered as beloved members of their Texas hometown.
You can find the GoFundMe page here…and we also welcome prayers for the victims of this tragic incident.
