Two Injured, One Killed In Lake Erie Boat Crash

Tuesday, August 2, one individual was killed and two seriously injured when a 25-foot pleasure boat crashed into a break wall near Ballast Island in the northwest part of Lake Erie. The United States Coast Guard has reported that the cause of the accident is not yet know but the area had been experiencing storms and 3 foot waves.

A Coast Guard crew training nearby was able to respond quickly to recover the two injured people, but found the third person unresponsive in the water. The third individual was pronounced dead when emergency medical technicians arrived.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft reports that there were 16 fatal boating accidents in Ohio in 2010. Of those accidents, alcohol use and operator inexperience were cited as contributing factors in more than half the incidents. Further, August historically averages the highest number of accidents of any month of the year.

Many people overlook the dangers of boating merely because the open water seems much safer than streets crowded with cars. However, as with any activity, careless individuals increase the risk of injury by failing to take proper precautions to protect those around them. If you have been injured by the negligence of another individual, contact an experienced Personal Injury Attorney today.