Wind gust blamed for fatal San Diego capsize
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The sailboat that capsized Sunday in San Diego Bay, is seen Monday, March 28, 2011, in San Diego. Authorities on Monday identified one of two men who died after the rented sailboat carrying 10 family members capsized in calm water and good weather in San Diego Bay. (AP Photo/The San Diego Union-Tribune, Peggy Peattie) SAN DIEGO COUNTY OUT; NO SALES; COMMERCIAL INTERNET OUT; FOREIGN OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT; TV OUT; MAGS OUT
SAN DIEGO >> A board member of a sailing charity that sponsored a trip for special needs children and their families says a gust of wind led to the accident in the San Diego Bay that killed 2 and sent 8 to the hospital.
John Shean, president of the board for the Bloomington, Ind.-based charity Heart of Sailing says a gust of wind hit the jib just before the 26-foot MacGregor capsized late Sunday.
Shean says the charity’s founder was the only sailor aboard and had traveled from Indiana to offer sailing trips all weekend in San Diego. Shean says the boat’s water ballasts were properly filled and its keel was down.
He identified the two men killed as the uncle and grandfather of an 11-year-old autistic boy on the trip.
