Young Man Killed In Boat Explosion To Be Laid To Rest

The young man who was killed when the boat he was working on exploded Thursday will be laid to rest Monday.

Funeral services for Nathan Coppick will be held at 11 a.m. at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Huntersville.

Investigators are still looking for clues as to what caused the boat on Lake Norman in Denver to burst into flames. The boat has been lifted completely out of the water and investigators are searching in and around the boat for clues.

Investigators planned to move the charred boat to a gravel lot later, where they will further examine it to pinpoint where the fire began.

They will combine the physical evidence that they uncover with eyewitness accounts of the explosion including video that supports their claim that a spark that caused the explosion.

Mike Sutrell, Lincoln County Fire Marshall, said “From what the witnesses have said and from what we have seen on some videos, we notice there is a flash and then the explosion.”

Insurance agents, the fire marshal, wildlife officials and investigators with the sheriff’s department will work over the next several days to pinpoint the exact cause the explosion.

Officials said sometime this week they expect to complete their investigation and that it may be very difficult to determine the exact cause.

Coppick's body was found Wednesday evening in the rear of the boat near the engine room after crews pulled the boat up from the bottom of Lake Norman.

Rescue workers and detectives initially searched for Coppick Tuesday but had to suspend their efforts when the boat sank.

Coppick had just been accepted to the business school at N.C. State.

People closest to him said he had a way of making everybody smile.

“He was a likeable fellow and drew a lot of people to himself and had a great outgoing personality,” said family friend, Larry Paulk.

Coppick graduated from North Lincoln High School just two years ago.