One of two people killed in a boating accident Saturday night on the Piscataqua River was a 7-year-old girl, New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol said Monday.
The crash on the river near the Eliot Boat Landing also killed Laurie Stewart, 56, of Eliot, and sent a 5-year-old boy to Children’s Hospital in Boston. The boat’s operator, John Wickman, 59, of Eliot, was treated at York Hospital for a possible back injury and bruising.
Investigators did not release the names of the children involved in the crash or describe their connection to Stewart and Wickman.
However, the principal of Eliot Elementary School sent a letter to parents identifying the girl who was killed as Kaillen Wickman, a first-grade student at the school. The school brought in a crisis intervention team and counselors to meet with students Monday, Principal Maureen Goering said in the letter.
A GoFundMe page set up for the family said Kaillen Wickman’s younger brother, Michael “Mikey” Wickman, is still hospitalized in Boston. The GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $20,000 by Monday evening.
“No family should have to bear the thought, yet alone action, of laying to rest (their) own child, while standing strong for one another,” fundraiser organizer Meagan Bayliss wrote on the page. Bayliss declined to comment further Monday night.
The Boston Children’s Hospital public affairs department did not respond to a request for a callback regarding Michael Wickman’s condition.
The Maine Stars, an Eliot-based cheerleading group, posted on Twitter that Kaillen Wickman – known as Kail – was a member.
“Her infectious smile and energy lightened up our gym,” the post said.
The crash occurred when a 24-foot Boston Whaler operated by John Wickman and carrying three passengers hit a buoy while underway about 8:15 p.m. Saturday, the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol said in a statement.
A female passenger wearing a life jacket was ejected from the boat. The operator called for help and located the female, who was unconscious in the water. Wickman moved the boat to the boat landing, which was within sight of the crash location.
The three passengers were taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire, where Laurie Stewart and Kaillen Wickman died.
New Hampshire State Police said no other details about the crash would be released Monday as the investigation continues. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Sgt. Joshua Dirth at 603-227-2115 or email joshua.dirth@dos.nh.gov.
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