The Boy Scout who recently died in a New Hampshire boating accident has been identified as a Massachusetts middle schooler, according to his family who said their “hearts are forever broken” by the “unimaginable loss” of their 11-year-old boy.
The Lexington boy, Keoni Hubbard, was killed following a Friday afternoon boating accident on Manning Lake in Gilmanton, N.H.
“Our hearts are forever broken by the loss of our Keoni,” the Hubbard family said in a statement. “Beloved by his family and friends, Keoni’s spirit and empathy for others resonated with all who love and admire him.
“Keoni was simply the best — a selfless child who truly found joy in the happiness of others,” the family added. “Our family appreciates the support of the community and respectfully asks that you respect our privacy as we mourn the unimaginable loss of our beloved Keoni.”
The 11-year-old member of Boy Scout Troop 119 in Lexington was a Clarke Middle School student, the Lexington superintendent of schools wrote to the community over the weekend.
“I am writing to share the news of a tragic loss in our school community,” Superintendent Julie Hackett wrote. “Yesterday, a Clarke Middle School student who was attending a summer camp in New Hampshire was involved in a fatal boating accident.
“The State Police are investigating the accident that was reportedly witnessed by several other LPS students attending the same summer camp,” the superintendent added.
Boy Scouts of America’s Troop 119 — which includes youths in Lexington and surrounding towns — was up in New Hampshire at Griswold Scout Reservation in Gilmanton for the past week, according to the troop’s calendar.
On Friday at around 2:15 p.m., New Hampshire State Police responded to the boating accident. A boy had reportedly been injured while out on a boat. As a result of the accident, the young Scout received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
“We are heartbroken to confirm the death of a Scout yesterday following a tragic accident on Manning Lake in Gilmanton,” Boy Scouts of America’s Daniel Webster Council in New Hampshire wrote.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the Scout’s family and ask everyone to please join in keeping this young man and his loved ones in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the New Hampshire chapter added.
Two other deaths were reported on Granite State waters on Friday.
A 41-year-old Beverly woman drowned Friday evening on Middle Pea Porridge Pond in Madison. Police responded to a report of a swimmer who had not returned to her family after being on the water in front of their rental property.
Amy Posocco had been swimming with a group of her family members, but she didn’t return to shore. With assistance from the dive team of Ossipee first responders, Posocco was found about 90 feet offshore.
Police also responded on Friday to a report of a body that had been found on the Piscataquog River in Manchester, near the border of Goffstown. The body had been located by boaters who reported it to Manchester Police. The victim was identified as 40-year-old Shawn Barton.
State Police said in a statement, “New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol would like to extend our condolences to the families of the three victims.”