Kayaker dies when craft overturns in Scarborough Marsh

SCARBOROUGH – A 57-year-old kayaker lost his life when his craft overturned while he was fishing for stripers in Scarborough Marsh, authorities said.

Richard Sullivan of South Portland went under shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sunday in the upper part of the Scarborough River near Seavey’s Landing Road, the Maine Marine Patrol said.

Sullivan’s fishing companion, Norman Kinney of Gorham, was paddling ahead of his friend and looked back and noticed that his kayak had tipped over, Sgt. Rick LaFlamme said. Kinney paddled over immediately but could not right the craft in time.

“It was just a tragic accident,” LaFlamme said, noting that both men were experienced kayakers.

It was pouring rain at the time, he said, but the weather did not appear to be a factor.