Report ID: July 6, 2026
NCIC#: Unknown
Officer ID#: Unknown
Traffic Unit 1: Boat (vessel type unknown)
Occupants: 3 (two rescued, one fatality)
Injuries/Fatalities: Two occupants rescued and transported to local hospitals; one male occupant recovered deceased near Ram Island, Newburyport, on July 6, 2026 at approximately 4:06 p.m.
Vehicle Damage: Unknown
Property Damage: Unknown
Road Surface: Waterway
Manner of Impact: Vessel struck jetty
Pedestrian/Cyclist Location: N/A
Narrative
On the night of July 3, 2026, at approximately 10:35 p.m., a boat crashed into the jetty at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation on the Merrimack River in Salisbury, Massachusetts. The jetty is a long, rocky wall that extends into the mouth of the Merrimack River. Massachusetts State Police were notified by Salisbury officers and responded to the scene.
Three occupants were aboard the vessel at the time of the crash. Two individuals were rescued from the water and transported to local hospitals; a third person went missing following the incident. An extensive multi-agency search involving Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston, Massachusetts Environmental Police, the Newburyport Harbormaster Department, and the Salisbury Harbormaster was conducted over several days. On July 6, 2026, a body was recovered near Ram Island in Newburyport at approximately 4:06 p.m. The Essex County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the discovery and stated the victim’s identity would not be released until family notification was complete.
The investigation remains ongoing as of the time of this report. Full details are developing.
When a boating accident results in a fatality, the grief and legal questions that follow can be overwhelming for surviving family members. If you lost a loved one in this incident or were among those injured, understanding your rights may be an important step forward. You can begin by obtaining documentation of the incident — get your free crash report here and speak with a qualified attorney about your options.
This report contains details provided by NBC Boston and is NOT an official crash report.
