Four people were injured Thursday night when this boat hit a jetty at Perdido Pass near Orange Beach. (Photo courtesy of Paradise Marine) Four seriously injured in boat crash at Perdido Pass
By Lawrence Specker | lspecker@al.com
on June 24, 2016
Four people were hospitalized Thursday evening after a powerboat struck a jetty while traveling from the Gulf of Mexico into Perdido Pass, according to ALEA.
According to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, a 28-foot World Cat center-console catamaran was carrying six people when the vessel struck the south side of the eastern jetty at the pass at about 8:30 p.m. A photo posted by Paradise Marine shows the bow of the boat resting atop the large rocks of the jetty.
The ALEA report identifies the injured as owner/operator Randy Black and passengers Delbert Cagle, John Crase and Thomas Armstrong. Two other passengers, Josh Crase and Kevin Burke, did not require hospitalization.
"No PFD's were in use at the time of the crash," says the ALEA report. "Preliminary investigation indicates alcohol may have been a factor in the crash." The investigation continues, according to ALEA.
The incident follows at least two other recent mishaps in the area. On June 18, Two people died and three were injured when a boat hit a pier while entering Oyster Bay. Earlier this week, a man died after falling from a boat in Fish River.