Tug boater dies

Ohio Man Drowns in Tow Boat Accident
Posted Tuesday, January 19, 2010 ; 06:38 AM |
Updated Tuesday, January 19, 2010; 03:12 PM

An Ohio man drowns after being pulled under a barge.

KENOVA – UPDATE:
An Ohio man drowned early Tuesday morning in a tow boat accident in Kenova.

Matthew Cisco with the Kenova Police Department says Gary Adams, 25, of Waterloo, Ohio, was releasing the ties used to anchor the Marathon Oil Company tow boat to the barge. The “all clear” was given but Adams noticed a line still attached. Adams went to release it and by the time he reached to get it the tow boat hit the barge and knocked him over.

Authorities say Adams was wearing a life vest and the crew threw a flotation ring to him, but he was sucked up under the barge.

Marathon spokesperson, Linda Casey said, “We’re deeply saddened. Gary is not just an employee he’s a family member, a friend and a coworker. We offer out prayer and our sympathies to his family. This is a major loss.”

Casey also went on to say safety is very important and they haven’t experienced a work related fatality in the marine group since the formation of the company in 1998.

The Coast Guard, along with Marathon, is looking into the investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

An investigation is under way after a man fell off a barge and drowned near Kenova.

Kenova Police Chief Bob McComas said it happened around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

According to police, a 25-year old man drowned after falling off a barge owned by Marathon Oil.

Chief McComas said the incident is being considered an accidental drowning.

The Coast Guard is investigating.