Scott McComas Obituary, Death: North Carolina Man Fatally Injured by Propeller While Attempting to Free Stuck Rental Boat in Carteret County’s Back Sound

The serene waters of Back Sound, a favored boating channel nestled between the historic town of Beaufort and the tranquil shores of Harkers Island, North Carolina, became the scene of a heartbreaking tragedy on Sunday evening. Scott McComas, a man whose day on the water began in the spirit of recreation and ended in fatal misfortune, lost his life while attempting to dislodge a boat that had run aground on a sandbar. The accident, involving a vessel affiliated with AB Water Sports of Atlantic Beach, marks a grim reminder of the hidden perils that can accompany even the most routine boating activities.

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, which has assumed the lead role in the investigation, McComas sustained fatal injuries after being struck by the vessel’s propeller while working to free the grounded boat. Initial accounts indicate that McComas entered the water in an effort to maneuver the vessel away from the sandbar. During that process—whether due to boat movement, miscommunication, or engine re-engagement—he came into contact with the spinning propeller, which caused catastrophic trauma.

The accident unfolded quickly and without warning in a place known more for its natural beauty than for such grim scenes. Back Sound is a protected body of water shielded from the open Atlantic by the barrier islands of Shackleford Banks and Harkers Island. Its calm, shallow waters attract both novice and experienced boaters, including many who rent pontoon boats, jet skis, and skiffs from local outfitters. Among those businesses is AB Water Sports, a company based out of Atlantic Beach, whose rented vessel was involved in Sunday’s incident. The exact nature of McComas’s connection to the boat—whether he was a customer, employee, or guide—has not yet been publicly confirmed by officials.

What is clear, however, is that McComas’s attempt to help went tragically wrong. The moment he entered the water to assist with the grounded craft, he was vulnerable to hazards that exist just inches below the surface—chief among them the boat’s propeller. Emergency personnel, including the Harkers Island Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard, responded to the distress call and worked quickly to stabilize McComas for transport. Despite their immediate efforts, he succumbed to his injuries en route to medical care. His body was later taken to Carteret Health Care, where the tragic news was formally confirmed.

The shock of McComas’s death has reverberated through the Carteret County community and beyond. While the investigation remains active, there are already pressing questions about the circumstances leading to the incident: Was the engine running when McComas entered the water? Were proper safety protocols in place and followed? Did a mechanical malfunction contribute to the boat’s failure to free itself from the sandbar—or, more critically, did it reactivate unexpectedly?

At the moment, authorities have declined to offer detailed answers. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is continuing to collect witness statements and physical evidence, and it has not commented on whether any criminal or civil implications may emerge from the case. No mention has been made of other occupants on the boat at the time of the accident or whether any charges or regulatory violations are under consideration. Such silence is typical in the early phases of a fatal incident investigation, particularly one involving commercial or rented equipment, where liability and responsibility are complex and must be handled with care.

Propeller-related boating accidents, while relatively rare, are among the most devastating and often fatal types of watercraft incidents. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that dozens of such accidents occur nationwide each year, with a significant portion resulting in fatalities or permanent injuries. These accidents are frequently the result of individuals entering the water while the engine is still engaged or being unaware of the proximity of the spinning blades. Even experienced boaters may misjudge the timing or location of propeller movement, especially in murky or shallow water.

In the case of a grounded boat—particularly on a sandbar—tempers can flare, and actions may become rushed. The frustration of being stuck, often in the presence of wind, current, or nearby boat traffic, can lead even seasoned mariners to take risks. Jumping into the water to push or rock the boat loose is a common response, but if the boat’s propeller is not disabled properly or if the engine is restarted for thrust, the results can be deadly.

McComas’s death may prompt renewed scrutiny of rental boating procedures and safety briefings provided by outfitters like AB Water Sports. While it remains unclear what pre-departure guidance was given—or whether McComas himself was responsible for piloting the vessel—accidents involving rental watercraft often lead to broader questions about regulatory oversight, customer training, and emergency readiness. North Carolina law requires certain safety measures to be reviewed with renters, including life jacket use and basic boat operation; however, enforcement varies, and not all renters internalize the risks associated with complex emergencies like groundings or engine trouble.

The tragedy also highlights the specific dangers presented by coastal inlets and sounds, where shifting tides, sandbars, and strong currents can surprise even experienced boaters. Back Sound, while relatively protected, is not immune to such hazards. Sandbars form unpredictably, and charts may not always reflect their most current locations. Boaters unfamiliar with the waters can find themselves suddenly immobilized—particularly if navigation is done without sonar, GPS depth monitoring, or local knowledge.

As the community mourns, the identity of Scott McComas has come to symbolize more than just the man who died in this isolated incident. While limited biographical details were shared in the initial reports, the impact of his death has drawn local sympathy and grief. Friends and family members, as well as members of the local boating community, have begun to reflect on his loss with heartfelt tributes—remembering him as a generous soul, someone always ready to lend a hand. That willingness to assist others appears to have been what placed him in harm’s way in the first place.

In a tragic twist of fate, it was McComas’s attempt to help—a selfless act performed in a tense moment—that became his undoing. That detail alone has deepened the public’s emotional response to the event and sparked conversations about how best to train, equip, and prepare boaters to handle emergencies without endangering themselves or others.

As the NC Wildlife Resources Commission continues its investigation, it is likely that their final report will address not only what happened, but also what might have prevented the accident. Whether through engine cut-off lanyards (kill switches), better communication protocols, improved rental instruction, or propeller guards, there are numerous avenues for improving safety—particularly in the commercial and rental boating sectors.

Meanwhile, Carteret County grapples with the stark reality of another life lost on its waters. Though the incident has temporarily clouded the picturesque serenity of Back Sound, it also serves as a critical moment of reflection. For all who boat these waters—for locals, tourists, and businesses alike—the story of Scott McComas will not easily be forgotten. His death stands as a solemn reminder that water safety must always come first, no matter how routine the outing may seem.

At this time, no funeral arrangements or memorial plans have been formally announced, and authorities have yet to release additional information regarding McComas’s personal background, family, or connections to the boating business involved. That silence, too, is part of the grieving process—a space left open for remembrance, for grief, and for the lessons yet to come from this painful accident.