19 hurt when 2 boats collide
By Gary Weiand /Havasu News Herald
Sunday, September 5, 2004 10:14 PM MDT
A two-boat collision in California waters off Site Six injured 19 people Saturday afternoon, according to Lake Havasu City officials and a spokesman for the San Bernardino County, Calif., Sheriff's Office.
The boats collided head-on about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Charlie Cassens, city public information officer. He said the smaller boat, which sank, carried two passengers, both of whom were injured. Seventeen people aboard the other vessel, a pontoon boat, were injured, most of them suffering scrapes and bruises, he said.
Cassens said the injured were taken to a temporary, holiday weekend emergency station at Site Six on the Island, where paramedics tended them. Six were transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center. Two of these were seriously hurt, he said, and one was air evacuated to University Medical Center in Las Vegas.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Sgt. Tim Smith said the pontoon boat was a rental from Lake Havasu City and the second boat was a Mariah powerboat registered in California. He said the first report of the accident came into his agency at 6:10 p.m. Saturday. That report was followed by multiple calls for assistance on the crash.
Smith said the most seriously injured person suffered a punctured lung. None of the injuries were considered life threatening, he said.
According to the Lake Havasu City Fire Department, response included two engine companies, the fire rescue boat and three ambulances.
What caused the collision and other details of the accident was unavailable Sunday evening. Smith said officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office were still investigating the accident late Sunday.
Let's not send the wrong mesage out there!
Yes there was a collision, but look at the factors on this one, (19) on a pontoon late in the evening. Lets see I bet Alchohol was a factor!!!!!! :notam:
Sunday the crowds were up but stll down for a major holiday weekend. :boxed:
Most of the traffic stayed in the channel.
Ran up to Moabi and it was a normal weekend crowd, little sandbar was full but not packed.
The channel was closed in the evening as well. Wind died down! On Saturday there was a nice breeze all day to keep the CO down.
Sorry to hear about the boat crash and hope everyone is OK
HDD