Coast Guard investigates race boat incident near Kent Island, Md. that left 1 dead and 3 injured
June 28, 2015
BALTIMORE, MD
The Coast Guard is investigating a boat crash that killed one individual Sunday and injured three more during the Thunder on the Narrows race off Kent Island.
Names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Coast Guard Sector Baltimore watchstanders received a call at approximately 5:30 p.m. stating a race boat lost control and struck onlookers who were together on spectator boats.
Event sponsors pulled individuals from the water following the incident. Two individuals were medevaced by helicopter, and another individual was medevaced by land.
Maryland Natural Resources Police were on scene and responded as well as assets from the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Two Coast Guard members were aboard MNRP assets as part of on-going, joint boarding teams efforts.
The incident is currently under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.
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STEVENSVILLE, Md. (AP/WJLA) - A 7-year-old child has died and three people were injured when a racing boat lost control and crashed into a crowd of onlookers off Kent Island, police said.
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- Rear image of power racing boat involved in Kent Island fatal crash, Sunday, June 28, 2015. (WJLA/Jay Korff photo)
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- A second rear image of power racing boat involved in Kent Island fatal crash, Sunday, June 28, 2015. (WJLA/Jay Korff photo)
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- Photo of Kent Island truck, Sunday, June 28, 2015. (WJLA/Jay Korff Photo)
Maryland Natural Resources police spokeswoman Candy Thomson said three
of the victims were being taken to a trauma center following the
collision Sunday afternoon in the Chesapeake Bay. The extent of their
injuries were not immediately known.
Thomson said the incident is unrelated to another capsized boat on the other side of Kent Island Sunday afternoon. One boater was missing following that incident.
Investigators said the speed boat racing event is considered "NASCAR on the water."
Confirmed
fatality, a 7-year-old, at Thunder on the Narrows today. Three flown to
Shock Trauma. Coast Guard assuming lead in investigation
— MD NRP (@MDNRPolice) June 28, 2015
2
separate boat accidents off Kent Island. 1 person missing/pleasure boat
capsize. Other, race boat strikes crowd. At least 8 hurt.
— MD NRP (@MDNRPolice) June 28, 2015
Additional details were not immediately released.