By Crash News Writer 
Hilton Head Island, SC (July 4, 2025) — A late-night boating outing turned tragic near Hilton Head Island when a vessel overturned in the Skull Creek area, claiming the lives of two Bluffton residents and leaving two others injured.
News sources show that the incident happened on the evening of June 27, just before 10 p.m., when emergency crews were called to the scene following reports of a serious boating accident. Responders found the boat capsized with four people on board. Divers were deployed immediately to assist in rescue efforts.
Tragically, 73-year-old Patsy Montgomery and 76-year-old James Montgomery were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office. Two other occupants survived the accident and were rushed to a nearby hospital for further treatment. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation into what caused the boat to overturn.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
The information in this article is based on initial reports from local authorities and may be subject to updates as investigations continue.
- The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
- Further details about the accident, including toxicology results and potential charges, will be shared as they become available.
- Road closures and traffic updates related to the accident scene can be found by checking with local authorities or traffic monitoring services.
The content of this news story is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is based on public reports at the time of publication, and details may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know have been involved in a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this article. Learn more with our disclaimer.