2 Boats Collide on Central Ohio Lake, Injuring 3

[Serious News]

BUCKEYE LAKE, Ohio —


Authorities say two boats collided on Buckeye Lake in central Ohio, injuring three people.

The three people were pulled from the water after the crash Sunday evening at the lake, roughly 25 miles east of Columbus. Authorities didn't release further details about what caused the crash.

WCMH-TV in Columbus reports one person was flown from the scene to a Columbus hospital. Two more people were taken to a local hospital. There was no word on their identities, the severity of their injuries or the types of boats involved in the crash.

[Serious News]

Boat collision remains under investigation

BUCKEYE LAKE — A Sunday evening boat collision remains under investigation by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft.

The two boats collided around 6:30 p.m. near the Copper Penny area of Buckeye Lake.

According to an incident report from ODNR’s Division of Watercraft, David Beall, 59, of Thornville, was operating a 19-foot speedboat and collided with a 16-foot speedboat with Michael Winterrowd, 65, of Thornville, and Wanda Williams, 71, of Thornville, on board.

Beall was flown from the scene by medical helicopter to the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University in Columbus. His condition was not available Monday afternoon, according to a hospital spokesperson.

Winterrowd and Williams were taken by ambulance to Licking Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Grant Medical Center in Columbus. Their conditions were not immediately available.

Paul and Julie Mirick, of Baltimore, were at Papa Boo’s at the time of the crash.

“We were just sitting there and I looked out over the water, and I said, ‘Man, that guy is flying,’” Paul Mirick said. He saw something else, but since it was on the far side of the lake, he didn’t immediately register that it was another boat.

“Next thing I know, just a massive splash of water flying everywhere, and the sound carried over. I just heard a little boom.”

When the splash cleared, he said he could see the two boats drifting apart and at least two people bobbing in the water.

Mirick said a manager at Papa Boo’s and a first responder at the restaurant borrowed a pontoon boat and went out. A second pontoon already on the lake also responded, and between the two boats, the three people were pulled from the water and brought back to Papa Boo’s, where they met emergency personnel, Mirick said.

Investigator Ryan Trout said Monday morning that the two boats involved had been impounded and investigators would be returning to that area of Buckeye Lake to continue their investigation of the collision.


With Pics http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20130923/NEWS01/309230005/Boat-collision-remains-under-investigation

[rschap1]

:(

[Underdog88]

That's my home lake. Don't recognize the names but that is the skinny part of the lake between the swim area and bar/point. Everyone wants to do fly-bys there but it's the worst place for crossing traffic ect.
Hope all are doing ok.

[Serious News]

BUCKEYE LAKE (Ken Hines) -- Investigators expect to file charges in connection with a boat crash that sent three people to Columbus hospitals.

Race boat operator David Beall told investigators he was traveling approximately 40 mph when his craft slammed into the vessel containing Michael Winterrowd and Wanda Williams on Saturday. All three of the boats' occupants were hospitalized after the crash.

"[Beall] stated he was going for a joy ride, and before he knew it, [he] was in the ambulance," watercraft officer Jack Manley said.

Williams, 71, is listed in poor condition at Grant Medical Center, while Winterrowd, 65, is in fair condition at the same facility. They were both ejected from their boat after the impact, and pulled from the water with the assistance of nearby good samaritans, according to investigators.

Beall, 59, was also injured in the crash, but remained in his boat. He was treated and released from OSU's Wexner Medical Center.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the crash, and have not ruled out the use of drugs and/or alcohol.

"Sometimes the glare of the sun can cause it, but he was traveling east, and the sun was setting west, so that wouldn't have had anything to do with it," Manley said.

Investigators are waiting for the results of blood tests in order to determine if any of those involved in the crash were under the influence of intoxicants.

Beall apparently did not observe accepted "rules of the waterway", by giving way to the boat operated by Williams and Winterrowd, according to investigators, who expect to soon file charges related to the crash.