FORT MYERS, Fla. – Coast Guard rescue crews, along with state and local agencies, have been searching for James Molter, 20, hometown unknown, since about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, about one-mile west of Marco Island, Fla., following a fatal accident involving a 30-foot speed boat.
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watch standers received a call from Sea Tow at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, reporting an accident with a cigarette boat that was said to have been jumping waves at a very high rate of speed. The vessel flipped end over end and crashed into the water nose first leaving three dead, one seriously injured and one missing.
Harper Simpson, 31, hometown unknown, Linda Molter, 42, hometown unknown and Megan Molter, 22, hometown unknown were killed in the accident. Jennifer Molter, 16, hometown unknown, was seriously injured and transferred to Naples Hospital in Naples, Fla.
A Coast Guard Air Station rescue crew has conducted three searches for Molter in an area of about 30 miles since about 6:15 p.m. Saturday, with negative results.
Rescue Crews from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Capri Fire and Rescue, Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Sea Tow are assisting in the search for Molter.
Weather conditions at the time of the incident were 1- to 2-foot seas, and 5- to 10-knot winds.
Source: USCG D7 Public Affairs
