LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville woman died Saturday evening in a boating accident at Lake Shelby.
The Shelby County coroner says 34-year-old Amanda Frank was found unresponsive in the water.
She was transported to Jewish Hospital in Shelbyville where she was pronounced dead shortly before 7:30 p.m.
An autopsy Sunday did not show conclusively her cause of death. It was not clear if Frank drowned or died of other causes, deputy coroner Jeff Ivers said.
The victim's 12-year-old son tried to save her, Ivers and the victim's husband, Todd Frank, said.
"Mother's Day. He had made her a card at school, and it was tearing him up (Saturday) night, 'I can't give Mom that card now.' It broke his heart," Todd Frank said.
Todd Frank talked about his 12-year-old son, who held onto his mother, Amanda Frank -- and at the same time held onto a boat, after it apparently started to sink in Lake Shelby, north of Shelbyville on Saturday night.
Todd Frank, her estranged husband, was not along for the fishing trip.
However, now he's about to plan his wife's funeral.
"She loved the boy to death. I am sure it would break her heart knowing that she died in that fashion, with him sitting there holding her, trying to do everything he could to save her," Todd Frank said.
"The son was trying to keep the mother -- the mother had went underwater several times -- he was trying to keep her abreast until help arrived," said Shelby County deputy coroner Jeff Ivers.
Authorities said a third person from the boat made it to shore to yell for help.
Fellow boaters pulled 34-year-old Amanda Frank and her son from the chilly water.
Results of an autopsy Sunday could not say if she drowned, or whether any other medical condition contributed to her death.
"As the boat began taking on water, they tried to get the boat started, but was unable to. They all had to jump into the lake," Ivers said.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officers are investigating. The blue and white "Skeeter" fishing boat sat at a nearby fire station, still holding fishing poles, bait and three life jackets on Sunday. Ivers said no one wore them.
Also, authorities said the boat's drain plug was in place properly on Saturday. It's still not clear why the boat may have taken on water.
Funeral arrangements for Amanda Frank were not complete Sunday night.
Copyright 2012 WDRB News. All rights reserved.
Amanda Frank, 34, Louisville, died after boating accident Saturday on Lake Shelby.
"Skeeter" fishing boat involved in accident
