Labor Day boating incident claims the life of a Northern Virginia woman

On September 6, 2021, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Hyde County 911 received a report of a serious boating incident in the vicinity of Hatteras Inlet near the Ocracoke ferry dock. A rented vessel from Hatteras Parasail was traveling southwest across Hatteras Inlet when it ran aground on a sand shoal.

Twenty-Nine-year-old Brandi A. Lash of Round Hill, VA, was ejected from the vessel and then ran over by the same vessel.  She has died as a result of her injuries, and her family has been notified.

The vessel being operated was a 21′ foot Carolina skiff. The incident is under investigation, but officials reported on Tuesday that contributing factors to the incident included inexperience and hazardous waters.

Numerous agencies responded to the scene including the National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Hyde County Sheriffs Office, and NC Wildlife Officers.  NC Wildlife has taken lead in the investigation of the incident.