LEXINGTON, Mass. – The family of Keoni Hubbard, the Massachusetts boy who died Friday in a boating accident on a New Hampshire lake, is remembering him as a “selfless kid” who found joy in the happiness of others.
In a statement released Sunday, the Hubbard family said, “Our hearts are forever broken by the loss of our Keoni. Loved by his family and friends, Keoni’s spirit and empathy for others resonated with all those who love and admire him. Keoni was simply the best – a selfless boy who truly found joy in the happiness of others. Our family appreciates the community’s support and respectfully asks that you respect our privacy as we mourn our loss unimaginable from our beloved Keoni.”
Keoni, a student from Lexington, had been among a group of out-of-state campers who were in New Hampshire at Boy Scout camp the week he died. He was one of three people who died in separate incidents in New Hampshire waters on Friday, state police said.
At approximately 2:15 p.m. Friday, New Hampshire 911 received a call about a boating accident on Lake Manning in Gilmanton, where a child was injured while in a boat, state police said.
Keoni was a student at Clarke Middle School in Lexington attending summer camp in New Hampshire, Lexington Public Schools Superintendent Julie Hackett said in a letter to the school community.
Several students witnessed the boating accident, and the district is working with Lexington Human Services to make grief counseling available to students and staff, Hackett said.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, as well as the Clarke school community and all those affected by this tragic event. We are fortunate to be part of a loving and supportive community, and we join together in times of need. I know you will continue to be there for each other and keep everyone affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers,” Hackett said.
The Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America also issued a statement on Keoni’s death.
“We are heartbroken to confirm the death of a Scout yesterday following a tragic accident at Manning Lake in Gilmanton. We offer our deepest condolences to the Scout’s family and ask everyone to please join keep this young man and his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the statement said.
State police are investigating the cause of the boating accident.
Also Friday, the Marine Patrol recovered the body of Shawn Barton, 40, of an unknown address, from the Piscataquog River in Manchester, near the Goffstown border, state police said.
Then, around 8:45 p.m., a third call came in for a possible drowning at Middle Pea Porridge Pond in Madison, for a female swimmer who had not returned to her family after being in the water in front of his rental property, state police. said Investigators said Amy Posocco, 41, of Beverly, Mass., had been swimming with a group of family members when she was unable to make it back to shore.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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