Two people from upstate New York were the survivors of a recent fatal boating accident on Lake Tahoe, according to a verified GoFundMe fundraising page.
Amy Friduss and her mother Julie Lindsay survived when the boat capsized in South Lake Tahoe on June 21. Public records show Friduss, of Rochester, is 40 and Lindsay, of Springwater, is 65.
Created by the Honeoye Class of 2003, which Friduss is a part of, the GoFundMe says the two are the daughter and wife of Stephen Lindsay, one of eight people who died in the incident.
Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, Livingston County, Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, both of Honeoye, Ontario County, were among the eight people who died in the June 21 incident, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
The other five who died were from California and ranged in age from 37 to 73.
“Physically, both mother and daughter are on the mend, but are dealing with the heartbreaking loss of their beloved husband and father, best friends and dear family who perished,” the GoFundMe page says. “This fund is being set up so they can focus on dealing with these unimaginable circumstances instead of worrying about money.”
Stephen Lindsay known as the “unofficial mayor of Honeoye”
According to the GoFundMe, Steve “Zippy” Lindsay was “quick with a big smile, hug and a joke for everyone” and known as “Julie’s beloved husband, Amy’s favorite dad, and the unofficial mayor of Honeoye.”
Julie Lindsay recently retired from L3Harris and “was planning on spending her years with her husband, best friends from childhood Theresa Giullari and Jim Guck, and her siblings and family in California,” the fundraising page said. Friduss is a “devoted nurse practitioner” and “would quite literally give the shirt off her back if someone needed it,” the GoFundMe says.
“Now, it’s just Amy and her mom left to face the unthinkable — broken hearts, unanswered questions, and the difficulty of life with only memories to hold onto,” the fundraising page continued. “Hold your loved ones tight. Be kind. Embrace every moment of this beautiful, fragile life.”
What happened on Lake Tahoe?
The group was on board a 27-foot Chris-Craft boat the afternoon of Saturday, June 21 when a storm caused up to 8-foot swells.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office on June 21 received reports of a capsized boat in South Lake Tahoe. “Callers indicated that approximately 10 individuals were in the water near the vessel, with reported wave heights reaching 8 feet,” deputies said in a Facebook post. The boat capsized near D.L. Bliss State Park, in South Lake Tahoe, California.
The bodies of six people were recovered on June 21, and a seventh body was found the following day, authorities said. The last body was recovered from the lake on Monday, June 23, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
Friduss and Julie Lindsay were rescued and taken to local hospitals on June 21. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Hasty Team posted on Facebook that both were wearing life jackets.
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Upstate NY mother and daughter survive deadly Lake Tahoe boat accident: Identities released
Reporting by Emily Barnes, Victoria E. Freile and Siobhan McAndrew, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
