Thursday morning, I took this photo of the sunrise.
Less than 24 hours later, the river was a busy place with Coast Guard helicopters, cutters, police boats and fire boats.
Looking at this photo, you see the mouth of the Pagan River (the body of water closer to the camera). In the distance is the James River. From our side of the water to the treeline on the opposite side, just to the left of the sunrise, the river is about four miles wide.
Late Thursday night, a sailboat with ten people on board left a marina on the other side of the river. (The area where the marina is located isn’t visible in my picture.) Shortly afterward, the boat capsized. Nine of the boaters were rescued during the night: one of those died at the hospital on Friday, and the tenth person is still missing. With binoculars, we can see police boats in the river this morning.
No details have been released other than the ten people on the boat were in their 20’s and had been at a party when they decided to take a cruise. Whatever the circumstances, it’s sad to look at this beautiful river and know that one and possibly two lives were lost out there that night.
As the mother of a son who’s probably older than any of those involved, my heart goes out to the parents of the young man who didn’t survive this tragedy, to the parents of the missing person, to the friends who did survive. And to the person(s) whose idea it was to take that cruise.
these days of mine 
Unfortunately, nature’s beauty has to be respected. It only takes a few seconds for a fun sail to turn tragic!
My heart is with everyone involved. May God comfort them.
oh dear. your sentiment hit the nail on the head. such guilt to carry. such loss and tragedy and fear.
As another blogger titled her entry “Life is Precious”. Your report and her article keep us mindful.
Horribly heart wrenching.
Sending up prayers for those left with the aftermath.
~d.
It’s hard to look at such a beautiful landscape knowing it holds such tragedy it’s in grasp. My prayers go out to all involved.
That is very saddening, so many lives changed in an instant. My heart and prayers go out to them as they continue working on their life puzzle, with a couple of pieces missing. Thanks for sharing their story, that we may grieve with them, and carry them to the Father.
Your sunrise picture — so beautiful. The story with it — very sad. Water frightens me.
Isn’t it sad to think how quickly life can be changed by circumstances totally out of our control. I will be praying for them.
That is terribly sad, and difficult to think of the number of people impacted by a brief decision that ended so eternally for them. Such a reminder to appreciate every single minute of life. I will definitely pray for their family & friends.
Rivers are so beautiful like in your sunrise photo and yet unfortunately can be so deadly. My prayers and thoughts are with the families & friends.
Oh, my heart truly breaks for all those young people and their families- and the rescue workers. Life is so fragile. I am sorry for you, too, Dianna. Hugs.
How terrible. Do you have any updates on this post? Have they found the missing person? Any answers?