Search Continues For Missing Duck Hunters On Severn River

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- Overtaken by the water. Rescue crews searched for two hunters who they say drowned in the Severn River. Their boat was found Tuesday afternoon and items from the men were scattered nearby.

Tracey Leong explains how the rescue quickly became a recovery, due to the unfavorable conditions.

Police say the two boaters faced hostile conditions on the Severn River and it would have been dangerous for anyone on the water at the time.

Winds gusted over 35 miles per hour, creating powerful waves on the Severn River as duck hunters Earling Lamp of Stevensville and Matthew Davis of Glen Burnie, both 23 years old, navigated their 14-foot boat.

"Those conditions in that small of a boat, that's a challenge and there is not a lot of margin for error," said Candy Thompson, MDR police.

A witness saw one of the men go overboard and heard screaming before calling 911. But the treacherous conditions also hindered recovery operations.

"Fingers stop working. Your equipment gets bulky because it's covered in ice. Our dive team yesterday had ice hanging off their dry suits," Thompson said.

The men's boat was found Tuesday afternoon but the search efforts continued into Wednesday for the hunters.

"Actually saw the boat go around the island and when it went around, the waves breaking over top the boat," said Rick Smith.

Smith remembers seeing the two men. He owns Smith Marina, where the boaters had stopped to drop their friend off before venturing back into the violent river.

"There's no forgiving of it in a situation like those guys were in. It doesn't matter; those guys never could have gotten there soon enough to get them," Smith said.

Police urge the public to be cautious before entering the water, especially with extreme winter weather approaching.

Crews will work until nightfall and resume operations Thursday morning.