Family of Mass. Boy Scout killed in NH boating accident mourning ‘unimaginable loss’

LEXINGTON, Mass. — The family of Keoni Hubbard, the Massachusetts boy killed in a boating accident on a New Hampshire lake on Friday, is remembering him as “a selfless child” who found joy in the happiness of others.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Hubbard family said, “Our hearts are forever broken by the loss of our Keoni. Beloved by his family and friends, Keoni’s spirit and empathy for others resonated with all who love and admire him. Keoni was simply the best – a selfless child who truly found joy in the happiness of others. Our family appreciates the support of the community and respectfully asks that you respect our privacy as we mourn the unimaginable loss of our beloved Keoni.”

Keoni, a Lexington student, had been among a group of campers from out-of-state who were in New Hampshire at the Boy Scout camp for the week when he died. He was among three people killed in separate incidents in New Hampshire waters on Friday, state police said.

At approximately 2:15 p.m. Friday, New Hampshire 911 received a call for a boating accident on Manning Lake in Gilmanton, where a young boy was injured while out on a boat, state police said.

Keoni was a student at Clarke Middle School in Lexington who was attending a summer camp in New Hampshire, Lexington Public Schools Superintendent Julie Hackett said in a letter to the school community.

Multiple students witnessed the boating accident and the district is working with Lexington Human Services to make grief counseling available for students and staff, Hackett said.

“Our hearts are with the victim’s family, as well as the Clarke school community and all those impacted by this tragic event. We are blessed to be part of a loving, caring community, and we come together in times of need. I know that you will continue to be there for one another, and you will keep all those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers,” Hackett said.

The Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America also issued a statement on Keoni’s death.

“We are heartbroken to confirm the death of a Scout yesterday following a tragic accident on Manning Lake in Gilmanton. We offer our deepest condolences to the Scout’s family and ask everyone to please join in keeping this young man and his loved ones in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the statement said.

State Police are investigating the cause of the boating accident.

Also Friday, Marine Patrol recovered the body of Shawn Barton, 40, with an unknown address, from the Piscataquog River in Manchester, near the border of Goffstown, state police said.

Then, at around 8:45 p.m., a third call was received for a possible drowning on Middle Pea Porridge Pond in Madison, for a swimmer who had not returned to her family after being on the water in front of their rental property, state police said. Investigators said Amy Posocco, 41, of Beverly, Massachusetts, had been swimming with a group of her family members when she failed to return to shore.

GoFundMe: Keoni Hubbard Memorial Fund

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group