Serious boating crash on Crystal Lake after fireworks show
One boat 'ramped up' on top of the other, police say
Published 6:24 AM EDT Jul 03, 2016
GILMANTON, N.H. —State police are investigating a serious boating crash on Crystal Lake in Gilmanton on Saturday night.
The crash happened just after 10 p.m. following a fireworks show, police said.
Nancy Rendall, 62, of Gilmanton, was operating her boat at headway speed when Richard Downing, 62, of Manchester, crashed into her, police said.
Downing was approaching planing speed when the crash occurred, causing his boat to ramp up on top of Rendall’s, officials said.
Rendall and Downing each had four passengers on board with them. Two passengers were ejected from Downing’s boat and passengers on Rendall’s boat were hit by the hull of Downing’s boat, officers said.
Passengers from both boats were transported to the hospital for facial trauma and possible internal injuries, police said.
Marine Patrol urged all boaters to be cautious when operating after dark and to remain vigilant to other boater’s navigational lights.
The crash remains under investigation, but officials said drugs and alcohol did not appear to be a factor.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol at 603-293-2037.