BREAKING NEWS: Boater killed after striking dredge pipe in Cape May Harbor

Authorities have identified a boater killed when his craft hit a loose dredge pipe in Cape May Harbor.

Christopher W. Heitman, 45, of Cape May, was operating the 17-foot vessel Sea Hunt in Cape May Harbor yesterday, with one occupant, when his boat struck a loose dredge pipe in the channel, causing the operator and occupant to be ejected.

The dredge pipe broke free from its mooring and entered the channel.

While the occupant was able to make it back onto the vessel, Heitman was discovered unresponsive in the water by authorities and later pronounced dead, New Jersey State Police said.

The crash remains under investigation.

The accident occurred at at 2:21 a.m. Wednesday in Cape May City, according to NJSP.