Lexington middle school student dies in N.H. boating accident during camping trip, officials say

‘Our hearts are forever broken,’ says family of 11-year-old Keoni Hubbard

A Lexington family is mourning the loss of an 11-year-old boy who died Friday afternoon in a boating accident at a Boy Scout camp in New Hampshire.

Keoni Hubbard was a member of Boy Scout Troop 119 in Lexington and attended Clarke Middle School, according to his family and school officials.

“Our hearts are forever broken by the loss of our Keoni,” his family said in a statement.

“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.”

The Boy Scout troop was visiting Camp Bell in Gilmanton, N.H., near Manning Lake, where first responders were called Friday for a report of a boy injured in a boating accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

In a letter to families, Lexington Public Schools Superintendent Julie Hackett said the tragedy was witnessed by “several other LPS students attending the same summer camp.” She said the district is working to organize grief counselors for students and school employees affected by the child’s death.

“Our hearts are with the victim’s family, as well as the Clarke school community and all those impacted by this tragic event,” Hackett wrote in the letter Saturday, before Keoni’s name was released. “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.”

The Boy Scouts’ Daniel Webster Council in New Hampshire said in a statement on Facebook Saturday that a Scout had died in a “tragic accident on Manning Lake” the day prior.

“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 council’s statement said.

An investigation into the cause of the death is underway, State Police said, and no further information was available Sunday.

Keoni’s death was one of three fatalities in New Hampshire waters Friday.

A woman from Beverly, identified as Amy Posocco, 41, died in Middle Pea Porridge Pond in Madison, N.H., after she had been swimming with family members in front of a rental property Friday night and went missing, officials said.

Family and neighbors searched for Posocco but she was not located until a dive team of Ossipee first responders found her body about 90 feet offshore, State Police said.

Posocco’s cause of death has not been officially determined but it is considered accidental, State Police said.

Earlier Friday, as authorities were still at the scene in Gilmanton, a man later identified as Shawn Barton, 40, was found dead in the Piscataquog River in Manchester, N.H. His death is under investigation, State Police said.