More information has come to light following the death of Deadliest Catch star Todd Meadows, who tragically lost his life ‘while doing what he loved’.
On Monday (2 March), Captain Rick Shelford shared that one of the ‘newest members of the crew’ had died during filming the Discovery Channel show.
At just 25 years old, the deckhand is said to have passed away on 25 February while onboard the fishing vessel Aleutian Lady.
Working on the reality TV show’s 22nd series, Meadows was out fishing for crabs on the Bering Sea, and authorities looking into his death said he ‘fell overboard’ just after 5pm local time in Alaska.
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The US Coast Guard Arctic District is ‘currently investigating this situation’ as tributes pour in for Meadows. Taking to Facebook, Captain Shelford called it the ‘most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady’.
Speaking to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard Arctic District said: “Coast Guard watchstanders at the Arctic District command centre in Juneau received notification from the fishing vessel Aleutian Lady, reporting that a crew member by the name of Todd Meadows fell overboard approximately 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor.”
The statement added that the deckhand was recovered ‘unresponsive’ by the ship’s crew roughly 10 minutes later.
“First aid and attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful, and the crew transported the deceased to Dutch Harbor,” it said.
With the investigation currently underway, the statement continued: “As the nation’s leading marine safety organization, the Coast Guard investigates marine casualties and accidents to uncover their causes and initiate necessary corrective actions.”
In his Facebook post announcing the tragic news, Captain Shelford said Meadows had ‘quickly became family’ to the crew.
“His love for fishing and his strong work ethic earned everyone’s respect right away. His smile was contagious, and the sound of his laughter coming up the wheelhouse stairs or over the deck hailer is something we will carry with us always,” he said.
The deckhand had a wife and three kids, with the captain writing that his love for them and his life was ‘evident in everything he did’.
“Todd will forever be part of this boat, this crew, and this brotherhood. Though we lost him far too soon, his legacy will live on through his children and in every memory we carry of him,” he added.
A GoFundMe has also been launched for Meadows’ family in a bid to raise money to support his family and assist with funeral expenses.
It read: “We are heartbroken to share the sudden passing of Todd Morgan Meadows, a beloved 25-year-old father, son, brother and friend, who left us far too soon while doing what he loved — crabbing out on Alaskan waters.
“He was a determined dad to three amazing little boys who were his entire world. Everything he did was for them — their smiles, their futures, and the memories they will carry with them.”
A Discovery Channel spokesperson added: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows.
“This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates, and the entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Topics: TV and Film, Fishing
Jess Battison