12-year-old killed in boating accident on Otter Lake

A 12-year-old was killed in a boating accident on Otter Lake Monday after colliding with a pontoon boat.

Police say Francis R. Eckrich, 45, of Madison, was operating his 2000 Lowe boat with two 12-year-old children towed behind on a tube; one of them was his son, Kaden Eckrich.

Francis Eckrich encountered a pontoon boat anchored on the lake and at the last second, took evasive action to avoid colliding with it. This caused Kaden to be ejected from the tube, striking the boat and causing massive internal injuries.

Kaden was rushed to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica, where he was pronounced deceased. The other child on the tube was also ejected but was not injured.

The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

State Police were assisted at the scene by the town of Webb Police Department and Otter Lake Fire Department.