A married father and a female boat passenger were killed in a accident on a Louisiana lake after their boats collided.
Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg, was operating a 25-foot pontoon boat when it collided with Thuy Gustin’s Sea Fox boat in the Tickfaw River near Kings Point, roughly 65 miles outside of New Orleans, on Sunday.
Gustin, 31, of Springfield, was found trapped underneath the Sea Fox around noon after it capsized by a Good Samaritan, who jumped into the water to save her, according to Fox 8 Live. She ran her own marketing firm.
They performed CPR on the mother-of-two until an ambulance arrived and she was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Sharkey, a father of four, was found deceased by rescue crews 12 hours later.
Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg, (left) was operating a 25-foot pontoon boat when it collided with Thuy Gustin’s Sea Fox boat in the Tickfaw River near Kings Point on Sunday. Gustin, 31, of Springfield, (right) was found trapped underneath the Sea Fox after it capsized by a Good Samaritan, who jumped into the water to save her
It is unclear if his wife, Shelly Verberne Sharkey, was on the boat. One friend suggested she was, but further details have not been shared.
DailyMail.com has reached to Shelly for comment.
Six others – three from each boat – were injured in the crash and all were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to WDSU.
The cause the crash is currently unknown. DailyMail.com has contacted the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, who are investigating the crash, for comment.
Six others – three from each boat – were injured in the crash and all were taken to the hospital with serious injuries
Plenty of tributes came in for the father-of-four, including from his business, Sharkey Mechanical Services, which wrote in a Facebook post: ‘His legacy of love, laughter, and friendship will never fade. We will continue to keep his memory alive through our work.
‘Chase’s unwavering passion for his craft left an indelible mark on everyone he met, and his work ethic was unmatched. We will miss him dearly, but we will continue to thrive in his honor and the legacy he has built.’
Friend, Jonathan Taylor wrote on Facebook: ‘Chase Sharkey was truly one of a kind. The first time I met him he made me feel like we had been friends since childhood. Chase was a true father and husband. I didn’t get to spend much time around his family but I knew they were his number one priority just by the conversations we had. Chase was also a staple in his church and his community.
Sharkey, a father of four, (pictured with his family) was found deceased by rescue crews 12 hours later
It is unclear if his wife, Shelly Verberne Sharkey (pictured together), was on the boat. One friend suggested she was, but further details have not been shared
‘I’m thankful I got to know him over the past 4 years and I think we can all learn from Chase and how he lived his 36 years on this earth.’
Another friend, Erin Foster, wrote: ‘To know him was to love him. Chase Sharkey was a great friend…One thing for certain is he loved his wife, his kids, his family, and everyone else’s babies also.’
Former Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks said in a statement: ‘He loved life. You knew where you stood with Chase and when you were a friend you were a friend. His word was his bond, and he was honest, sincere and trustworthy.
‘His friendship was genuine and I will be forever grateful for it. One of the things outside of his family, work and weightlifting we always talked about was being saved and he truly was. So I know without a shadow of doubt he would tell me: “Boss don’t worry about me big dog cause I’m sitting here talking with Jesus so I’m good.”
‘I will miss you my friend and forever be thankful for your friendship all these years. Love you buddy!’
Friends remembered Gustin as ‘so full of life and always ready for the next adventure’
A GoFundMe has been set up for the Gustin’s funeral services, which has raised more than $14,000 out of its $25,000 goal
An equal number of tributes poured in for the mother-of-two, with friend Lindsay Picou writing: ‘Thuy…I’m still in disbelief.
‘I knew I was going to love you from the moment I met you. You were so full of life and always ready for the next adventure. But even with all of that spirit, you led with nothing but heart. You loved everyone around you so deeply, and made sure they knew it.’
Another friend, Kendra M. Berthelot wrote on Facebook: ‘Carrying a heavy heart today. My beautiful girl, you will be so missed. I don’t even have the words to say. I love you. Rest easy, Angel.’
A GoFundMe has been set up for the Gustin’s funeral services, which has raised more than $14,000 out of its $25,000 goal.
A Meal Train has been set up for the Sharkey Family, with nearly $3,000 in donations and plenty of meals going to the surviving family.
