Monday, May 11, 2015

1 DEAD, 1 INJURED IN HOLSTON RIVER FISHING BOAT ACCIDENT NEAR ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE




MAY 5, 2015

ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE

A 65-year-old Hawkins County man was killed and a second man was hospitalized as a result of a boating accident that occurred Tuesday afternoon on the Holston River at the dam near the John Sevier Steam Plant in Rogersville.

Hawkins County Central Dispatch was notified of the accident shortly after 4 p.m., and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) and the Hawkins County Rescue Squad responded to the scene.

According to TWRA Officer Chris Seay, at around 4 p.m. the two men were fishing from a boat below the dam when the boat was apparently drawn into the dam, causing it to swamp or capsize.

Both occupants went into the water and a 65 year-old-man from the Persia community of Hawkins County was killed. 

Two nearby fishermen were able to rescue the surviving occupant and recover the victim. 

Both occupants were taken to shore and the survivor has received treatment at the Hawkins County Memorial Hospital.

The dam area near Rogersville has been the site of boating accidents in the past. Water rolling over the spillway sucks boats into a turbulent area at the base of the dam.

But, the dam is also a very popular fishing destination, and known as a location of many small mouth bass nests. 

The TWRA strongly encourages all boaters to wear life jackets on any body of water and to make sure they are worn correctly and sized properly. 

Additionally, life jacket wear is mandatory for all boaters from the boat ramp at John Sevier Fossil Plant up to the dam. 

The TWRA further states that boaters should use extreme caution while operating a boat near any dam or spillway due to the hazardous conditions that exist.

Names of the victims weren’t released as of press time.

The accident remains under investigation by the TWRA.

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1 DEAD, 1 INJURED WHEN A POWER BOAT STRUCK A FISHING BOAT ON BERLIN LAKE IN OHIO

MAY 9, 2015

BERLIN LAKE, OHIO (WKYC/WFMJ)

An Akron fisherman was killed early Saturday following a boating accident on Berlin Lake.

Officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources tell our sister station WFMJ that a power boat struck a fishing boat. The two men aboard the boat were taken to a Ravenna hospital.

The Portage County Coroner's office tells WFMJ that Neil Cuppett, 58, of Akron was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The identity of the injured victim has not yet been released.

The injured was Bruce Lindamood, 42, of Green. Lindamood was treated at a local hospital.

The boat operated by Cuppett and Lindamood was stationary and had lights on, authorities said.

The suspect who struck the fishing boat fled the scene but was later identified, authorities said. His name has not been released.

ODNR says it, along with the Portage County Sheriff and Coroner are continuing to investigate.

WOMAN INJURED WHEN JET SKI COLLIDES WITH BOAT NEAR MONUMENT ISLAND 

MAY 10, 2015

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA

A woman was airlifted to Ryder Trauma center Sunday afternoon after the water scooter she was on collided with a boat, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The 30-year-old woman, who has not been identified, had “non-life-threatening injuries,” according to FWC Spokesman Jorge Pino.

The accident, which is being investigated by the FWC, happened at around 6 p.m. near Monument Island in Miami Beach.

The boat remained at the scene. It was not clear Sunday night what caused the crash and who, if anybody, would be facing charges.

IT IS SPRING AND SUMMER TIME, HERE COME THE BOATING, SAILING, FISHING, PARASAILING AND JET SKI ACCIDENTS

It is this time of the year again with many boating, fishing, jet ski, sailing accidents reported.  Several deaths have already been reported across the nation.

Owners and operators of boats and jet skis are liable for injuries they cause through reckless behavior or general negligence on the waterways of our community. At Metropolitan, we work with lawyers in determining the factors involved in a boating, sailing, fishing, parasailing or jet ski incident. 

Since many water-related incidents involve alcohol, it’s important to determine if a mechanized vessel (boat or jet ski, etc.) operator was drunk or impaired at the time of an incident.  However, since there can be a substantial lag time between an incident on a lake or river and the ability of the authorities to conduct a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test, it’s important to interview witnesses and those onboard a boat to verify that drinking played a role. In boating and jet ski incidents that do not involve alcohol, we expose negligence and reckless behavior involving violations of the rules governing navigable waters and safety compliance issues. 

If you’ve been seriously injured in a boat or jet ski incident, contact us today to begin the investigation immediately. 

Injuries and Water-Related Incidents
The investigation firm of Metropolitan Forensics assists people injured in water-related incidents involving the following: 

·         Intoxicated boat operators
·         Collisions with other boats or jet skis
·         Jet ski, parasailing, fishing, sailing, boating incidents
·         Running aground, causing people to be thrown from the boat
·         Lack of life preservers or other safety devices
·         Hitting sandbars, buoys or other obstacles in the water
·         Onboard fires or explosions
·         Boat Operators and Owners – Liability for Boating Safety

Boat owners and operators are responsible for complying with safety regulations in the upkeep and maintenance of their vessel in order to keep us all safe. 

Additionally, boats should have functioning life preservers and a fire extinguisher. Consequently, boat owners and operators can be held liable for injuries that result from poorly maintained boats or an absence of life preservers. Even if a boat owner or operator is not at fault in causing an incident, he or she can still be held liable if the lack of life preservers or absence of a fire extinguisher played a role in injuries that occurred after a collision.

And, while a boat owner may have little by way of boating insurance, in most cases, damages can also be collected from a person’s home owner’s policy.