VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A 55-year-old Chester woman died Wednesday after being stabbed in the chest by a beach umbrella that had been caught in the wind. Virginia Beach Police responded to the beach at 33rd Street just after 5 p.m. after receiving calls about a woman in cardiac arrest. Medics arrived and transported the woman to a local hospital, but she died as a result of her injury. She has been identified as Lottie Michelle Belk. The investigation revealed that an anchored beach umbrella got caught by a strong gust of wind and blew across the sand. Police said the umbrella stabbed Belk in the chest. Chief Medical Examiner Donna Price says Belk's cause of death was penetrating blunt force chest trauma. Price also says the death was accidental. The Virginia Beach Police Department Homicide Unit is currently investigating this incident. — Stefania Okoliè (@StefaniaOkolie) June 9, 2016 According to Tom Gill, Captain of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service, this is the first time he has ever heard of someone being killed by an umbrella in the Resort City.
Gill says he has heard of people being injured by an umbrella that gets loose, but considers Belks' death, a freak accident. Beachgoers can still protect themselves by securing their umbrellas with a stake and ropes. Gill says it is also important to readjust and check your umbrella after strong bursts of wind. If winds seem too strong, Gill suggests taking the umbrella down. Owner of Surfing Adventure and Ocean Rentals, Rob Lindaur, says the umbrella should always face the wind. If the wind is 15 mph or higher, he recommends lying the umbrella on the ground and installing it like a fort. Whether you are taking a simple walk to the water or down the beach, Lindaur says to never leave the umbrella. "It's just being vigilant," he says. "Just collapse it, it's so easy, then pop it right back up when you're sitting next to it."Assateague Island is the home of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. incredible outdoor recreational opportunities. Click here to view the Assateague Island page.
Chincoteague offers a great place to take off with a bike or walk. Everything is close and has the perfect blend of small town and wilderness. Many of the roads on Chincoteague have sidewalks. The Chincoteague Bicycling Advisory Committee is taking great strides towards enhancing the recreational experience of the bicycling public on Chincoteague Island. Hiking and Biking on Assateague Island offers many views of nature that you would not see anywhere else. There are 15 miles of trails that wind through the marshes and forests and including a path to the Chincoteague offers a fantastic, paved nature trail on Hallie Whealton Smith Drive, which is located off of North Main Street, near Chincoteague High School. Island Nature Trail is located along both sides of Hallie Whealton Smith Drive. The land where the trail is located represents some of last large tracts of undeveloped land on Chincoteague. The trail is a place where you can see wildlife in its natural habitat and it provides a safe haven for people to walk, run, ride
their bike, bird-watch, or just enjoy the natural side of Chincoteague. To the south is an accessible 0.7 mile long paved loop path complete with benches, and anPets are allowed along this portion of the trail. To the north is a natural surface trail that loops approximately 0.45 miles through pine forest and glade. No pets are allowed on this portion. Boating is one of the more enjoyable pastimes on Chincoteague. If your interests are fishing, water-skiing, or just wanting to enjoy the water on a peaceful summers evening, the options are here for you to use your own boat or rent one. With the purchase of a City Boat Sticker, anyone wishing to put in their own boat will have access to 3 Town supported public boat ramps. Boat ramp stickers can be purchased at the Town Office, Police Station, and from the Harbormaster. Guided scenic/nature boat tours are also available. Crabbing on Assateague and Chincoteague Islands is one of the favorite pastimes for both the local residents and visitors alike.
The preferred method for crabbing is with a net and baited line. All of the needed materials can be purchased at any local fishing shop,Most people like to use old pieces of raw chicken, tied to a line with a weight, sitting at the bottom of the water. The crabs will try to catch the bait and are lured into your waiting crab net. Cook the crabs by steaming them in a large crab pot with a generous amount of Old Bay Seasoning, and you can enjoy one of the Eastern Shores most famous delicacy. The size restrictions and limits in Virginia are enforced as a conservation measure. Crabs must measure 5" from back shell point-to-point. Clamming is another water pastime that is also plentiful on the Eastern Shore. The favored method is raking while wadding in generally shallow water. The best times being during the low tides. Another way is walking in the sand at low tide and 'signing' them. That means looking for the little keyhole indentations in the sand. under the surface of the sand, you will find the clams.
Some of the Scenic Tour Boats Some of the best fishing grounds on the Mid-Atlantic Coast are found in the local waters surrounding Chincoteague Island. There are several different ways to fish on Chincoteague vacation, including fishing from the surf on Assateague Island, from a public pier on Chincoteague, launching your own boat at a public boat ramp, or renting a boat. You can purchase fishing supplies from a local bait and tackle store. Another option is to go with an experienced local guide on a Charterboat where all fishing supplies are included. to view the fishing page. Chincoteague Island offers several beautiful parks for the enjoyment of its residents and visitors. We highly reccomend taking advantage of these well maintained spaces while your on vacation. Robert Reed Downtown Park - The Town of Chincoteague, with the support of local businesses and a network of volunteers, is involved in an ambitious revitalization project in the downtown area.
The Town has accumulated nearly $1.7 million in various grants and local matches toward the project. One major phase of the revitalization involves the development of a new waterfront park. This park, located on the waterfront in the heart of downtown, offers recreational opportunities, a site for festivals and events, and a beautiful view of sunsets. Annual events such as the “Weekend of the Islands” and the “Chili Chowder Cook-off” have already begun drawing as many as 1,500 visitors. There are currently 10 boat slips available for rent to transient boats that are in excess of 26’to 50’ in length. The park is ADA accessible, inclusive of boat slips. Veteran's Memorial Park - The Town of Chincoteague has a lovely waterfront park, Chincoteague Veteran's Memorial Park, for the recreation of residents and visitors. Memorial Park is located on Eastside Road. The park has tennis courts, basketball courts, playground equipment, fishing/crabbing pier,
ball field, boat ramp, skate park, pavilionThe pavilion may be reserved for groups through a permit issued by the Town for approval. It is recommended that you contact the Town Office to check availability. There is no fee for reserving the pavilion. The Commonwealth of Virginia enforces a recreational fishing license for the water surrounding Chincoteague. The Town of Chincoteague purchases a fishing license for the Veteran's Memorial Park fishing pier, so an individual license is not required. Donald J. Leonard Park - The Donald J. Leonard Park is located across from the Chincoteague Combined School on North Main Street and protects an open view of Chincoteague Bay with approximately 600 feet of water frontage. Over 2.7 acres of waterfront land has been left in its natural state for the enjoyment of the citizens and visitors alike. Park facilities allow for off street parking up to 10 cars, picnic tables, and kayak access to the Virginia Come and enjoy the Lower Eastern Shores beautiful surroundings ands abundant waterfowl.