A fisherman from Reidsville, North Carolina, who was participating in the Lake Reidsville Catfish Tournament died when his boat collided with another boat early Sunday morning.
According to news reports, Jeffery Morton, 33, of 120 Shannon Lane in Reidsville, suffered fatal head injuries. Morton was fishing in a bass boat being piloted by his roommate, William Morris.
Another fisherman, Ray Witt of Eden, was piloting his tri-hull boat to shore and collided with the bass boat, according to police reports.
Police officials said Morton was struck in the head by Witt’s boat, causing the head injuries that lead to his death.
Police do not believe that the fishermen had been drinking, but darkness may have been a factor in the deadly boat accident.
Boaters should drive more slowly in the dark and use running lights, Capt. Chris Huebner, boating safety coordinator for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, told the News & Record newspaper.
