An American woman who disappeared after falling overboard during a boat trip in the Bahamas has been identified as Lynette Hooker, a 55-year-old from Onsted, Michigan.
According to reports, Lynette fell into the waters of the Abaco Islands while she and her husband, Brian Hooker, were traveling by boat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay on Saturday evening.
Brian Hooker, aged 58, informed the Royal Bahamas Police Force that the couple had set off around 7:30 p.m. on an eight-foot dinghy, as detailed in a police press release.
The couple was en route to their yacht, aptly named ‘Soulmate,’ when Lynette reportedly slipped and fell due to inclement weather conditions, explained Hope Town Volunteer Fire & Rescue’s Assistant Chief Stafford Patterson in an interview with ABC News.
The police report further noted that “strong currents subsequently carried her away, and [Brian] lost sight of her.”
Patterson mentioned that it remains uncertain if Lynette was wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
Police said the 55-year-old was holding the boat key when she fell, which caused the dinghy’s engine to shut off.
Lynette Hooker, 55, of Onsted, Michigan , fell in the Abaco Islands water while taking a boat ride with her husband from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, on Saturday
Her husband, 58-year-old Brian Hooker, told the Royal Bahamas Police Force that they left around 7.30pm on an eight-foot dinghy
Brian then paddled the boat through the night, reaching a marina around 4am Sunday, according to Patterson.
He told an individual at the marina what happened to his wife, who then contacted authorities, according to the RBPF.
Bahamian and US authorities continue a joint search and rescue, with the US Coast Guard deploying an aircraft to aid the effort, Patterson said.
Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, released a heartbreaking statement on Monday about the incident.
‘I have been privy to very little information. My sole concern is to find out what happened to my mother and make sure a full and complete investigation is performed into her disappearance,’ she said.
‘While the Royal Bahamian police are investigating this matter, I would also appreciate any involvement of the federal, state or local authorities to look into the circumstances of this tragic situation,’ Aylesworth added.
The couple were headed to their yacht, ‘Soulmate,’ when Brian said she slipped and fell due to poor weather
Bahamian and US authorities continue a joint search and rescue, with the US Coast Guard deploying an aircraft to aid the effort
The ‘Soulmate,’ the boat of Lynette and Brian Hooker
An American woman, who has not been identified, fell into the water and was swept away in the Abaco Islands while she and her husband took a boat ride from Hope Town to Elbow Cay on Saturday
A US State Department spokesperson said they are ‘aware of reports regarding a missing American near Elbow Cay.’
They added that they are ‘working with Bahamian authorities to provide assistance.’ The investigation remains ongoing as the search for the Lynette continues.
The Bahamas currently has a level two travel advisory, warning visitors to exercise increased caution due to increased crime and swimming-related risks.
In summary, the advisory cited violent crimes, such as armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults, as well as the lack of regulation around boating which has led to injury and death.
