WILMINGTON, N.C. —
The Coast Guard pulled an injured boater from the water Sunday south of Morehead City.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington received notification Sunday morning that a 23-foot pleasure craft with a man and woman on board struck the Atlantic Beach High Rise Bridge in Bogue Sound between Morehead City and Atlantic Beach, ejecting the man into the water at about 10 a.m.
A 24-foot Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water crew from Coast Guard Station Fort Macon diverted to the scene and pulled the man from the water at about 10:10 a.m. The man, who suffered arm lacerations and a head injury, was taken to the wildlife boat ramp at the Morehead City Visitor’s Center and placed in the care of EMS.
He was taken to Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City. There is no word on his condition.
“We’re thankful we were within a mile of the accident when we got the call and able to get him from the water and into EMS care quickly,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Torres, boat operator for the case.
A good Samaritan vessel took the woman aboard and brought her to shore. A Sea Tow vessel crew towed the damaged vessel to the wildlife boat ramp in Morehead City. North Carolina Department of Transportation inspected the bridge and reported no damage.
The boat was headed east when it struck the bridge. The cause of the accident is under investigation.