Patsy Montgomery, James Montgomery Obituary, Death: Beloved Bluffton Couple Perish in Hilton Head Boating Tragedy as Skull Creek Incident Sparks Safety Concerns and Community Mourning

On the morning of June 28, a quiet inlet along South Carolina’s beloved coastline turned into the site of a devastating maritime tragedy. Patsy Montgomery, 73, and her husband James Montgomery, 76, both longtime residents of Bluffton, were killed in a fatal boating accident on the waters of Skull Creek, near Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County. The couple, known in their community as warm, active, and deeply admired individuals, had set out on a recreational boat outing that would tragically be their last.

The vessel they were aboard was carrying four people and two dogs at the time of the incident. When rescue crews arrived, they found the boat capsized and partially submerged. Two of the occupants had managed to survive and were transported to Hilton Head Hospital for treatment. The Montgomerys, however, were missing. So were the dogs. The situation escalated quickly from a rescue to a recovery operation, with dive teams dispatched to search the wreckage. Hours later, their worst fears were confirmed: the bodies of Patsy and James Montgomery were found inside the overturned vessel, along with the lifeless forms of both dogs.

The details of what caused the boat to overturn remain unclear. Investigators from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), which oversees recreational boating safety in the state, have not released a definitive cause. Questions loom large: Was it weather-related? Was there a mechanical failure? Could operator error or environmental hazards like underwater obstructions have played a role? As the investigation continues, so too does the heartbreak that has swept through the Montgomerys’ circle of family, friends, and neighbors.

The Victims: Lives Anchored in Kindness, Devotion, and Community
To understand the impact of this tragedy, one must first understand who Patsy and James Montgomery were. They were not just names in a news release. They were the bedrock of a community, an inseparable pair known across Bluffton and Hilton Head for their graciousness, warmth, and steady presence. James, a retired small business owner, was often described as gentle and dependable—a man who still believed in handshakes and personal responsibility. Patsy, a retired school librarian, was a constant source of support in her church and neighborhood, known for her quick smile and bottomless reserve of empathy.

The Montgomerys had lived in Bluffton for more than two decades, having moved to the Lowcountry after retiring from careers in the Midwest. Drawn by the region’s scenic beauty and tight-knit communities, they became active participants in the cultural and civic life of their town. Patsy volunteered at the local library long after retirement. James attended regular town council meetings, keenly interested in local development and environmental issues. Their dogs—beloved companions, not merely pets—were fixtures on their daily walks, frequently seen by neighbors as the couple made their rounds through the trails and marina walkways.

Those who knew them say their bond was unmistakable. “They did everything together,” said one neighbor, who declined to be named. “Whether it was boating, gardening, or just enjoying an iced tea on the porch, it was always Jim and Patsy. You couldn’t think of one without the other.”

It’s this shared presence that makes the tragedy feel doubly heavy—a single loss compounded by the loss of two lives, two legacies intertwined and now gone in a single moment.

Skull Creek: A Scenic Waterway with Hidden Risks
The setting for the accident, Skull Creek, is a narrow stretch of water that separates Hilton Head Island from the mainland. Known for its scenic beauty, the creek is a favored route for both commercial and recreational vessels. Its banks are lined with restaurants, marinas, and luxury homes. Yet, beneath its calm surface lies a complex, sometimes perilous web of tidal currents, shifting sandbars, and dense boating traffic, especially during the peak summer season.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has previously identified areas within Skull Creek as high-risk zones for boating mishaps due to limited visibility around curves, unpredictable tides, and wake generated by larger vessels. During the summer months, the volume of boaters increases dramatically, raising the statistical likelihood of incidents. Despite that, fatalities remain rare—making the June 28 accident not only tragic but uncommon, and thereby subject to significant scrutiny.

Boating experts familiar with the area note that Skull Creek’s relatively narrow passageways can present challenges even for seasoned boaters. “People look at the water and think calm equals safe,” said a Hilton Head-based marine safety instructor. “But Skull Creek is deceptive. It has current shifts, wake zones, oyster beds—all kinds of variables. Even if you know what you’re doing, one small misjudgment or unexpected event can be catastrophic.”

The Incident: From Joyful Excursion to Emergency Response
Based on information released by SCDNR, the capsizing was first reported through a 911 call made by a witness who saw the vessel overturn or noticed its occupants in distress. Emergency dispatchers alerted marine patrol units, local fire-rescue teams, and Beaufort County EMS.

By the time officers reached the scene, two of the four passengers had either escaped or been rescued from the water. They were brought ashore and taken to Hilton Head Hospital, reportedly in stable condition. The Montgomerys, however, could not be located on the surface. Rescue quickly turned to recovery. Divers were summoned to search the waters beneath the capsized vessel. The underwater operation was described as “methodical and deliberate,” given the need to search with care and precision in a wreck that could shift or contain unseen dangers.

When the divers finally located the bodies of James and Patsy Montgomery, they were still inside the overturned hull. The dogs were also found dead, a detail that has added an emotional layer to the public’s response. For many in the community, the death of the couple and their pets represented not just a personal loss but a symbolic severing of a deeply beloved unit.

Autopsies were ordered by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office, which later publicly confirmed the identities and ages of the deceased. Formal autopsy results are still pending and may provide more information on causes of death—whether from trauma, drowning, or other factors.

Survivors, Silence, and Investigative Challenges
As of the time of this writing, the identities of the two surviving passengers have not been publicly released. Their accounts will be critical to understanding what exactly happened aboard the boat prior to the capsizing. Were there indications of mechanical failure? Did weather play a role? Was another vessel involved, or did a sudden shift in weight cause instability?

Investigators will also examine boating licenses, maintenance logs, and equipment checks. All boats registered in South Carolina are required to carry specific safety items, including life vests, signaling devices, and functioning navigation lights. Whether these were present and functional at the time of the accident will factor into the final report from SCDNR.

Another unknown is whether alcohol or medications played any role. Toxicology reports, required in fatal boating incidents, are often delayed due to processing backlogs. Still, no public evidence currently suggests any form of substance misuse by those aboard.

Given the age of the Montgomerys and the presence of pets aboard the boat, one expert theorized that this was likely a leisure outing, not a high-speed or aggressive maneuvering situation. “This doesn’t sound like the kind of party boat scenario we sometimes see go wrong,” said a retired marine patrol officer. “It sounds like a calm ride that took a bad turn—possibly from environmental or mechanical causes.”

Regulatory Oversight and the SCDNR’s Role
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources bears the responsibility of not only investigating the incident but also maintaining the broader safety framework for recreational boating in the state. Each year, the SCDNR releases a Boating Safety Report, detailing accident trends, fatalities, and recommendations.

In recent years, the department has pushed for greater boating education, particularly for operators under the age of 30. However, boating licenses are not required for all adults in South Carolina, which raises concerns in communities that see an influx of seasonal or occasional boaters during peak months.

Following the Montgomerys’ deaths, state officials have reiterated calls for increased vigilance, urging boaters to perform pre-launch checks, monitor weather conditions, and avoid overloading vessels. “It’s easy to let your guard down on the water,” one SCDNR spokesperson noted. “You don’t have traffic lights or curbs to guide you. That’s why situational awareness is everything.”

Mourning and Memorial: A Community in Grief
In the days following the tragedy, the communities of Bluffton and Hilton Head began to grieve the loss of the Montgomerys. Flags in their gated community were lowered to half-mast. Neighbors left flowers at the couple’s driveway. At Sunday services, their names were read aloud during prayer, a soft but powerful moment of collective sorrow.

Those close to the couple describe a “deep sense of emptiness.” A neighbor noted that James had recently helped repair a neighbor’s mailbox after a storm, while Patsy had delivered a casserole to a family dealing with illness. “They didn’t ask for recognition,” said the neighbor. “They just showed up. That’s who they were.”

There is talk of holding a community vigil along the marina where the couple often docked their boat. Others have proposed renaming a trail or bench in their honor. Their church is reportedly planning a memorial service that will include not only family and friends but also members of the rescue team who brought their bodies home.

Broader Implications: Water Safety and Coastal Responsibility
While this specific accident remains under investigation, it has already reignited discussions about boating safety in South Carolina’s coastal regions. The state boasts over 8,000 miles of navigable waterways, making it one of the most water-accessible states in the country. With that comes both beauty and risk.

Fatal boating accidents tend to cluster in peak recreational months—June through August—and often involve a combination of inexperience, distraction, or insufficient safety gear. The Montgomerys’ accident may not fit the more chaotic or party-like scenarios commonly associated with boating fatalities, but its very deviation from that norm is part of what has made the incident so jarring.

As one local policymaker noted, “These were responsible adults. Longtime residents. Dog lovers. Not thrill-seekers. If it can happen to them, it really can happen to anyone.”

Final Reflections: A Sudden Silence
The death of Patsy and James Montgomery has left a palpable absence in the lives of those who knew them. It has also created an echo in the broader landscape of South Carolina’s boating culture—a reminder that no outing is too routine to become tragic, that no precaution is too small, and that the lives we cherish can be taken in an instant by the capricious, unpredictable nature of water.

As investigators continue to probe the vessel, study the scene, and hear from survivors, the focus remains on answers—but also on remembrance. The story of the Montgomerys is not only one of loss, but also of legacy. A couple who gave generously of themselves, who aged with grace, who went to the water for peace and instead met fate.

Their story now joins the annals of South Carolina’s maritime history—not as a footnote, but as a chapter written in grief, respect, and the hope that such tragedies may, by their memory, teach others to stay safe, stay aware, and stay alive.