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Man killed in boat crash

>Alan Lighthall was trying to save his son

MILFORD – A Milford man died earlier this month after he tried to save his son after a boat accident in upstate New York.

Scott Lighthall, 13, was thrown from the bow of a power boat on the morn­ing of July 6 when the craft hit a submerged rock in Black Lake. His father, Alan S. Lighthall, 51, the boat’s operator, went into the water and his body was later re­trieved.

Scott was reported to be unconscious when he was rescued by another boater and taken to Up­state Medical Center in Syracuse, where he was listed in critical condition late last week. On Mon­day, a hospital spokeper­son said Scott’s name was listed under " ‘no informa­tion,’ so I assume he was released."

Milford Schools Super­intendent Robert Marquis said, "everyone is praying for" Scott.

"We are very, very sad­dened and shocked," he said. "An exciting July Fourth vacation was turned on its head" in seconds and became a tragedy.

"We will allow the fam­ily to guide us … and we will support him and his friends as much as we can," Marquis said.

Milford Middle School Principal Anthony De­Marco notified the teach­ers, Marquis said, and posted a condolence mes­sage on the school’s web­site.

The message says, "The thoughts and prayers of the Middle School Com­munity are with the Lighthall family during this very difficult time. We also offer best wishes to Scott so that he makes a full recovery. We know that this may affect other students at the Middle School and we will be able to support them if needed."

State police said July 6 that Lighthall was operat­ing a 17-foot, 6-inch Mon­arch boat in a northerly direction on Black Lake around 8 a.m. and that the teenager was thrown from the bow when the boat struck the rock.

Alan Lighthall’s body was found by the Lisbon Fire Department Dive Team. An autopsy was to be performed to deter­mine the exact cause of death, police said.

A second passenger in the powerboat, Edward Lighthall, 53, of Prospect, N.Y., Alan Lighthall’s brother, suffered mild lacerations.

None of the boat’s oc­cupants were wearing a life preserver at the time of the accident. A fire de­partment official said the family was apparently unfamiliar with the lake, which is known to be rocky.

Black Lake is far north in New York, south of the St. Lawrence River, and parallels the river for many miles.

Kathy Cleveland can be reached at 673-3100 or kcleveland@cabinet.com.