A Pats DE is missing

Coast Guard searching for Hill
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Associated Press
Posted: 9 minutes ago



NEW ORLEANS (AP) - U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews continued searching Lake Pontchartrain on Monday for New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill, who was reported missing following a jetski accident.

"We searched throughout the night," said Petty Officer Tom Atkeson.
Hill's agent, Albert Elias, said he had been told Hill and a young woman were jetskiing Sunday in the lake when both of them went into the water, which had a strong current. Elias said the woman was able to make it to a pylon and hang on until she was rescued, while Hill was last scene floating away from the scene.

"I'm an optimistic guy," Elias told WWL Radio in New Orleans. "He's a strong kid and a fighter."

Hill played on LSU's 2004 national championship team and was drafted in the second round by New England.

The Coast Guard was using both boats and a helicopter search the shoreline, Atkeson said. Wildlife and Fisheries was using a recovery line that drags the bottom of the water.

A call came in around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Atkeson said. The woman, whose identity was not available Monday morning, was rescued and sent to Tulane Medical Center where she told them Hill had tried to keep her calm even as the two were drifting away from each other.

Neither Hill nor the woman wore a life preserver, Atkeson said.

"It's so important to have a life jacket and a signaling device," Atkeson said. "One keeps you afloat and the other helps us find you."

Elias said Hill has spent much of his time since Hurricane Katrina helping family members rebuild their homes.

 

yikes! Doesn't sound good.

 

It's official, he's dead. That sucks.

 

Sad. Really sad considering the girl was saved anyhow.

http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/05/coast_guard_search_continues_f.html

 

Yep. They found his body.


Coast Guard: Patriots' DE Hill's body found
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Associated Press
Posted: 24 minutes ago



NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A body believed to be New England Patriots player Marquise Hill was found by searchers Monday, a day after he was reported missing following a jetski accident on Lake Pontchartrain.

"The family will have to make positive identification," Capt. Brian Clark of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department said. "But the body we found was that of Mr. Marquise Hill."

The body was discovered about a quarter-mile from where Hill and a female companion were involved in the accident, Clark said.

The Coast Guard were called Sunday night, Petty Officer Tom Atkeson said. The search began immediately, using boats and helicopters.

Hill's agent, Albert Elias, said he had been told Hill and a young woman were jetskiing Sunday in the lake when both of them went into the water, which had a strong current. Elias said the woman was able to make it to a pylon and hang on until she was rescued, while Hill was last seen floating away from the scene.

Hill played on LSU's national championship team and was a second-round draft pick by New England in 2004.

"We are all shocked," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement.

The woman, whose identity was not available Monday morning, was rescued and sent to Tulane Medical Center where she told them Hill had tried to keep her calm as the two were drifting away from each other.

Neither Hill nor the woman wore a life preserver, Atkeson said.

"It's so important to have a life jacket and a signaling device," Atkeson said. "One keeps you afloat and the other helps us find you."

Elias said Hill, a defensive end, spent much of his time since Hurricane Katrina helping family members rebuild their homes.

 

Damn, that sucks. Rest in peace.

 

Indeed.

 

He saved her (or at least got her where someone else could save her) before he was swept away.

Good advertisement for life jackets. I'm glad all the reports mentioned they weren't wearing any.

Apart from that carelessness, it seems like he was a real class guy. Very sad.

 

We get into that "it won't happen to me" thinking. On a jet ski I'm sure I would wear a life vest, but I've ridden a 4 wheeler without a helmet and I never wore a helmet during years of horse back riding either - not defending either decision - stupid and very lucky. My husband and I keep batting around the thought of getting 4 wheelers and if that ever happens, helmets will be worn.