Angler’s female companion on boat rescued as weather worsens,
boat takes on water
A dramatic rescue unfolded on Sunday, Aug. 4, when a distressed boater made an emergency call after her male companion, a Mathews County captain of a small fishing boat, fell overboard and later died, entangled in his own fishing line.
The incident began around 3:43 p.m. in the Stingray Point Light area near Deltaville, when Virginia Marine Police (VMP) dispatch alerted nearby VMP officers to a person in the water, according to a VMP news release. VMP officers stationed at the Northern Area Field Office swiftly responded.
By 4:02 p.m., officers were under way from Windmill Point Marina. Upon arrival at the scene at approximately 4:19 p.m., rescuers encountered a white, 17-foot Key West boat with one occupant, identified as Lisa Jane Flowers, 62, of Cobbs Creek.
Flowers directed the rescue team’s attention to fishing lines in the water, where a man, later identified as the vessel’s owner, Steven Drew Higginbotham, 58, was observed face down and entangled in the line. With waves of two to four feet and winds reaching 15 to 20 knots from the south, conditions were challenging. A storm system was approaching from the southwest, further complicating the rescue efforts.
Additional Virginia Marine Police officers joined the scene at approximately 4:35 p.m. and initiated the recovery operation. Meanwhile, rescuers assessed the situation aboard the vessel in distress. Significant water had accumulated on the deck due to the crashing waves, and Flowers appeared to be suffering from sea sickness and general distress.
The decision was made to remove Flowers from the vessel for her safety. She was transported to Regatta Point Yachting Center, arriving at approximately 4:56 p.m., where she was evaluated by Middlesex County EMS. Flowers was released from medical care around 5:10 p.m.
During a post-rescue interview, Flowers recounted the events leading up to the incident.
She had been operating the boat while Higginbotham worked with the fishing lines, trolling for Spanish mackerel. After Higginbotham signaled that he had a bite, Flowers looked back to find him missing from the boat and in the water.
Despite her attempts to assist him, including throwing a life jacket and using fishing poles to reach him, Higginbotham struggled to get back aboard. Flowers, who could not swim and has limited boating experience, did not enter the water, but made the emergency call for help.
The U.S. Coast Guard towed the Key West boat back to Regatta Point Yachting Center, where it was secured.
The Virginia Marine Police were assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard, Middlesex County EMS, and Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office.
