1 child killed, 3 injured, after race boat lost control and struck onlookers who were together on spectator boats during the Thunder on the Narrows race off Kent Island in Maryland

 

 

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.

//------------//

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.

Continue reading

Rear image of power racing boat involved in Kent Island fatal crash, Sunday, June 28, 2015. (WJLA/Jay Korff photo)

A second rear image of power racing boat involved in Kent Island fatal crash, Sunday, June 28, 2015. (WJLA/Jay Korff photo)

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. 

The crash occurred during the 25th Annual Thunder on the Narrows race at the Kent Narrows in Stevensville, Md. Thomson said the operator of the boat lost control and struck onlookers who were gathered on spectator boats that were sitting next to each other along the race course. 

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.