Deadliest Catch tragedy: Todd Meadows’ drowning ruled accident as family eyes lawsuit

Todd Meadows, a cast member of 'Deadliest Catch', died while fishing on the Bering Sea. Photo / Rick Shelford

The family of Deadliest Catch deckhand Todd Meadows is preparing a wrongful death lawsuit following the 25-year-old’s death at sea, according to reports.

His death certificate, which was obtained by TMZ, listed his cause of death as “drowning with probable hypothermia” and “submersion of the body in cold water”. An autopsy was performed and the death was ruled an accident.

The family is considering filing a lawsuit for wrongful death, although it’s not known who the defendant would be, the outlet reported.

Meadows died after falling into the Bering Sea and was in the water for about 10 minutes on February 25.

The crew of the fishing vessel Aleutian Lady pulled him from the freezing waters, according to Page Six.

He was given first aid but crew members were unable to resuscitate him. Meadows’ body was then transported to the remote Amaknak Island, 270km away.

Deadliest Catch is set in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia, one of the most dangerous places in the world to fish, according to National Geographic.

In winter the water temperature goes below freezing, the air nears -10C and the boats are buffeted by howling winds.

A crew member told Us Weekly that cameras were filming when Meadows died.

However, Angela Meadows, Todd’s mother, said she doesn’t want the footage released.

“We don’t want to see any footage from the accident and do not want Discovery to air any of that footage or make money off of our son’s death,” she told TMZ.

Aleutian Lady captain Rick Shelford said on Facebook that the death was “the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea”.

“Todd was the newest member of our crew, he quickly became family. 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.”

Shelford said Meadows was a caring man who loved his family and worked hard at everything he did.

“Right now, our hearts are broken in a way that words can’t fully express.

“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.”

Meadows is survived by his partner Kennady Harvey and their three sons.

Since his death, a GoFundMe page has been started to raise funds to “assist with funeral expenses and help ease the financial burden in the months ahead”.

The page said Meadows died 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.”

To date, the GoFundMe has raised US$58,500 ($102,000) of its US$65,000 target.