Patsy Montgomery, James Montgomery Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the names of the two victims who lost their lives in a boating accident near Hilton Head on June 28. The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Patsy Montgomery, age 73, and her husband James Montgomery, age 76. The couple, both residents of Bluffton, were killed in a tragic boating incident that occurred on the waters of Skull Creek in Beaufort County, South Carolina.
According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of a capsized boat. The vessel was carrying four people and two dogs at the time of the incident.
Emergency responders arrived at the location and found two of the individuals alive. They were quickly transported to Hilton Head Hospital for medical treatment. However, the other two passengers, later confirmed to be the Montgomerys, and both dogs were missing following the accident.
Rescue operations quickly transitioned into a recovery mission as divers were called in to search the overturned vessel. After a thorough underwater search, divers located the bodies of both Patsy and James Montgomery inside the capsized boat. The two missing dogs were also found deceased within the vessel.
The specific cause of the accident has not yet been disclosed, and it is unclear what led to the boat overturning. Investigators have not stated whether weather conditions, mechanical failure, or other factors contributed to the incident. The SCDNR is continuing to investigate to determine exactly what happened that day.
The tragedy has deeply affected the Bluffton and Hilton Head communities, where the Montgomerys were well known and respected. Neighbors and friends have expressed shock and sorrow at the news, describing the couple as warm, loving, and active members of their community.
The loss has also brought renewed attention to boating safety in the region, especially as the summer season draws large numbers of boaters to South Carolina’s coastal waters. State officials are reminding boaters to check weather forecasts, ensure all safety equipment is onboard and operational, and remain vigilant when navigating local waterways.
While authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the capsizing, the focus remains on supporting the survivors and honoring the lives of Patsy and James Montgomery. The couple’s deaths serve as a somber reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can arise on the water, even during a seemingly routine outing.
The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office is expected to release further information once autopsy results are available. Meanwhile, the investigation by the SCDNR remains ongoing as officials work to understand the full circumstances of the fatal boating incident on Skull Creek.