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Bodies Found In Barge Mishap

Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.

July 17, 2001

Rescue workers discovered the body on Tuesday of the fourth of six Kentucky fisherman believed killed when their small boat was obliterated in a fog-shrouded, predawn collision with a barge tow. U.S. Coast Guard officials identified the missing men as John Beatty, Jr., 34, of Louisville, and Benny Burgan, 43, of nearby Crestwood, Kentucky. They were confident the remaining victims from Sunday's accident on the Ohio River would be found within a couple of days. A Coast Guard investigation centered on how the boat happened to float into a commercial shipping lane about 30 miles (48 km) upstream from Louisville. The officials said the six fishing buddies had set out from Westport, Kentucky, just north of Louisville, on Saturday evening in the heavily loaded boat that also carried one of the crew's pet boxer. The dog had not been found. Two deckhands on the Cincinnati-based towboat, "Elaine G," said they heard cries for help but never saw anyone. Police said all the men were said to be good swimmers and none were believed to have worn a life jacket. - (Reuters)

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