A freak accident claimed the life of a well-known fishing captain in Citrus County.
Richard Hinde, better known as Captain Rich around Citrus County, loved fishing on the Gulf. He was killed Sunday afternoon.
According to investigators, Hinde was leaving his house in Homosassa and got out of his truck to open a gate. For some reason he left his truck in gear and it hit and killed him.
"No day is promised," said Melanie Hinde, his daughter-in-law. "So, it is really important to tell people that you love them."
Captain Rich spent most of his life on the water. Later on he got into charter fishing and quickly gained a reputation around the area as the guy who always found the fish. Melanie and her husband got one last trip in a few weeks ago.
"We are holding on to that last fishing trip because that is what he loved and that is who he was," she said. "That's how people remember him and so it was just very special that we got to spend that with him. Most people don't get even that chance."
Melanie said the family is having a very hard time with the loss. She said to lose someone in such a bizarre way, is beyond heartbreaking.
"Accidents happen and we don't always get a chance to say goodbye to the people we love," she said.