Walter J. Boatright died attempting to help save Rudolph J. Crews from drowning, South Ponte Vedra, Florida, October 26, 1958. When Rudolph, 11; Boatright, 28, truck driver; and eight other men and boys attempted to set a large fishing seine in the rough surf at an Atlantic Ocean beach, they became caught in a very strong undercurrent and were carried away from shore. Two of the men swam back to the beach, and an unidentified man rescued five of the other victims. About 115 feet from shore, Rudolph called for help. Boatright and the remaining man swam to him and attempted to swim shoreward with him, but all were carried to a point 500 feet out, intermittently being submerged by breakers and waves. After they became separated, the other man returned to shore. Rudolph’s father swam to his son but made no headway in towing him. Two lifeguards entered the water. One swam to Rudolph’s father and the other towed a log to Boatright, but they made no made progress in getting them back to shore. Meanwhile, others launched a 14-foot motorboat from the beach and took it to a point about 900 feet out, where Boatright and Rudolph’s father were being supported by the lifeguards. A man from the boat entered the water and aided Rudolph, his father, and Boatright, who was inert, aboard. The boat soon capsized, about 800 feet from shore. Boatright rested on a life preserver from the boat as he was towed toward the beach by the man who had entered the water for him. Two other men swam out, and one of them reached Boatright and his rescuer at a point about 650 feet from shore. He aided in towing Boatright toward the beach, but 100 feet from shore they encountered a strong undercurrent. They fought the current but made no headway. One of the other rescuers joined them, and for 10 minutes the three men tried unsuccessfully to move Boatright toward the beach. A responding Navy helicopter lowered a cable sling and dragged the four men to shore. Boatright could not be revived. All of the others survived.
45076-4333Obituary
Walter Junior Boatright, age 27, of Jacksonville, Fla., was drowned in the surf at St. Augustine, Fla., Sunday afternoon, October 26, 1958. Mr. Boatright was a native of Bacon County, being the son of J.J. Boatright of route three, Alma, GA. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Mary Jean Boatright, of Jacksonville; one daughter, Terri Lee Boatright; two sons, Jerry and Michael Boatright; his father; step-mother, Mrs. Goldie Boatright; sisters, Mrs. Fred Lee and Mrs. Roy Burkett, Misses Nellie June, Glenda Sue and Kay Boatright; brothers, Roy T. Boatright, Delmon Boatright, Darrell Boatright, Edsel Boatright and W. F. Boatright; and five half brothers.