INVESTIGATORS BACK OUT AT SITE
OF FATAL BOAT EXPLOSION MONDAY
What caused the spark that killed Nate?

By Jon Mayhew

DENVER -- Investigators will return to Westport Marina on Monday, the site of a deadly June boat explosion that killed a popular Denver teenager.

Nate Coppick, 19, died while refueling the Lake Norman cruise boat "Championship II," which is owned by Cliff Champion.

Authorities tell The Carolina Scoop that they know a spark is responsible for causing the explosion. They are still trying to determine, however, if the spark came from the engine of the boat or from the dock.

According to boat owner Cliff Champion, all procedures were properly followed during the refueling. The explosion rocked the marina, as well as businesses and homes around the marina.

Two females were thrown off the boat and were able to swim to safety. Champion and another male jumped off the boat to safety; Coppick, however, was thrown under the boat and into the water.

After authorities quickly put the water out, they had to wait for fuel in the water to settle. Once they pulled the charred remains of "Championship II ," they found Coppick's body.

Coppick was attending North Carolina State University at the time of his death. Investigators plan to be at Westport Marina on Tuesday as well.