New Jersey Man Killed While Kayaking In Stormy Weather

A New Jersey man was one of two people killed Wednesday while kayaking in stormy weather, according to authorities.

The victims were recovered after the Maine Marine Patrol was notified at 7 p.m. Wednesday that a party of three was missing east of Bangor, Maine. One member of the party survived and was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center, according to the Main Marine Patrol.

The two victims, Edward Brackett, 63, of Birch Harbor, Maine, a registered Maine guide, and Michael Popper, 54, of Plainfield, were transported to the Medical Examiner’s office in Augusta for an autopsy after they were missing for a day.

According to the surviving member of the party, 48-year-old Jennifer Popper, the trio encountered rough seas at some point during their day trip, likely caused by a passing weather front.

The waves, reportedly three to five feet high, caused all three kayaks to capsize in the approximately 52-degree water. After failing to return at a previously established time, the boaters were reported as overdue to U.S. Coast Guard authorities and Maine State Police Dispatch, which then notified the Maine Marine Patrol.

A search and rescue effort was immediately launched and involved Coast Guard vessels, a Maine Marine Patrol Protector vessel, a Coast Guard Helicopter and area fishermen.

Responding from Marine Patrol were Sgt. Colin Macdonald and Officers Royce Eaton, Richard Derberghosian, Tom Reardon and Jeff Turcotte.

According to Marine Patrol reports, shortly after 8 p.m., Jennifer Popper was recovered by a local lobster fisherman. After being transferred to a Coast Guard vessel and transported to shore, she was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor by Lifeflight of Maine where she is recovering, according to the Maine Marine Patrol.

Brackett and Popper were recovered between 8:30 and 10 p.m., approximately 2 miles off shore between Cranberry Point and Petit Manan Island.

Both were unresponsive when they were recovered by local fishermen assisting in the search. They were each taken to shore and pronounced dead by local EMS personnel. Their bodies have been transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta for an autopsy.

According to Marine Patrol reports, the victims were wearing T-shirts and shorts. All members of the party were wearing life jackets. The victims and survivor were recovered approximately halfway between Cranberry Point and Petit Manan Island.

The investigation into the cause of this incident is ongoing and involves the Maine Marine Patrol and the Coast Guard.