April 1. That boat crash Sunday on Lake Norman occurred when the captain’s vision was obscured by dust and ash. LKN Marine Police said a passenger threw the contents of an urn containing cremains into the air while the boat was traveling at about 12 knots.
Cremation residue blinded the boat pilot, an accomplished Lake Norman yachtsman.
“While the defunct person was technically at fault, they could not be charged because they were deceased,” LKNMP said in a press release.
Go deeper
Sunday’s marine tribute gone wrong is part of a growing trend for “burials” in the Inland Sea. The marine police even have a term for these mishaps: Fogelberged, so named for the 1970s Dan Fogelberg hit “Dust in the Wind.”
Correction: The song was by Kansas, not Dan Fogelberg. There is apparently no such term as “Fogelberged,” which we made up.
—Happy April Fools Day. This isn’t even slightly true. Today’s newsletter will be out at lunchtime.
Best. Article. Ever. I will be using Fogelberged, if you don’t mind.
Posted by Joel Pfyffer | April 1, 2025, 10:49 amHa! Be our guest and thank you.
Posted by Newsroom | April 1, 2025, 4:00 pmCongrats Dave! That’s one of the best EVER!
Posted by Gail R Williams | April 2, 2025, 9:02 amThe sad part is that I didn’t read it all and shared the tragic story with a friend who writes for the Charlotte Observer and they published it. April Fools! 🤣
Posted by Cathy | April 1, 2025, 5:45 pmLOL!
Posted by Newsroom | April 1, 2025, 9:26 pmBoy , oh Boy sure need some of them there LNMC regulations!!
Posted by Capt Andy LKN | April 1, 2025, 10:23 pm