Police in the Bahamas are searching for an American woman who disappeared after reportedly falling overboard from a small boat while vacationing with her husband. Her husband told authorities that she went missing on Saturday at about 19:30 local time (00:30 BST) after falling out of an 8ft (2.4m) hard-bottom dinghy and being swept out to sea by strong currents.
The woman's husband told police that he and his wife left Hope Town for Elbow Cay on the Bahamian island of Abaco when she fell overboard, accidentally taking the boat's keys with her. In a statement on social media, the Royal Bahamas Police Force indicated that they are investigating and multiple agencies are searching for the woman.
She apparently bounced out of the boat, Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue chief Troy Pritchard told CBS News, the BBC's US news partner. Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her, the Royal Bahamas Police Force added.
The husband, also a US national, managed to paddle the vessel to shore and reached the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard at approximately 04:00 local time (09:00 BST) on Sunday. After informing a person in the boat yard about his wife's disappearance, authorities were alerted.
Assistance is being provided by U.S. counterparts, volunteers, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in the search for Hooker. The missing woman has been identified as Lynette Hooker from Michigan.
A travel advisory issued by the US State Department in March 2025 warned of hazardous boating conditions in the Bahamas, stating that boating is poorly regulated in the region and detailing past incidents of injuries and fatalities.
The woman's husband told police that he and his wife left Hope Town for Elbow Cay on the Bahamian island of Abaco when she fell overboard, accidentally taking the boat's keys with her. In a statement on social media, the Royal Bahamas Police Force indicated that they are investigating and multiple agencies are searching for the woman.
She apparently bounced out of the boat, Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue chief Troy Pritchard told CBS News, the BBC's US news partner. Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her, the Royal Bahamas Police Force added.
The husband, also a US national, managed to paddle the vessel to shore and reached the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard at approximately 04:00 local time (09:00 BST) on Sunday. After informing a person in the boat yard about his wife's disappearance, authorities were alerted.
Assistance is being provided by U.S. counterparts, volunteers, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in the search for Hooker. The missing woman has been identified as Lynette Hooker from Michigan.
A travel advisory issued by the US State Department in March 2025 warned of hazardous boating conditions in the Bahamas, stating that boating is poorly regulated in the region and detailing past incidents of injuries and fatalities.
