Boating accident on the Ohio River
08-20-2017, 03:18 PM
#11
Charter Member
Charter Member
From eyewitnesses on Facebook and from a family member of the owner of the cat involved in the accident, this is what people there say happened.
The cat was heading down river at high speed when it lost a drive, hooked and dumped the occupants into the river. The driver of the cat wasn't wearing his lanyard and the cat was circling the occupants who were in the water. A pontoon boat lent assistance to try to prevent the people in the water from being run over by the cat. The driver-less cat ran on top of the pontoon as it was circling and seriously injured the leg of the pontoon driver. As of last night a family member of the pontoon driver said he was scheduled to have his leg amputated today. A passenger in the cat (a relative of the driver) was missing after the incident and divers later found him but he is deceased.
Again, this is all from various threads on FB but the info is coming from people who say they are the family members and friends of those involved. The irony of it all is that the owner of the cat was the event organizer who put on the event to benefit another boater in need.
Prayers for everybody
The cat was heading down river at high speed when it lost a drive, hooked and dumped the occupants into the river. The driver of the cat wasn't wearing his lanyard and the cat was circling the occupants who were in the water. A pontoon boat lent assistance to try to prevent the people in the water from being run over by the cat. The driver-less cat ran on top of the pontoon as it was circling and seriously injured the leg of the pontoon driver. As of last night a family member of the pontoon driver said he was scheduled to have his leg amputated today. A passenger in the cat (a relative of the driver) was missing after the incident and divers later found him but he is deceased.
Again, this is all from various threads on FB but the info is coming from people who say they are the family members and friends of those involved. The irony of it all is that the owner of the cat was the event organizer who put on the event to benefit another boater in need.
Prayers for everybody
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08-20-2017, 03:46 PM
#12
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Explanation of the wide spaced drives makes sense. Horrible that the pontoon driver will lose a leg from trying to help people and of course tragic that a crew member of the cat was lost. 
08-20-2017, 08:29 PM
#13
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That is amazing, no lanyard. Half of the tragedy could have been eliminated.
Almost ALL performance boat policies have it in the guidelines.
I feel sorry for the driver of the pontoon, that is just terrible. A tragedy all the way around.
How does anyone know he lost a drive? Did it drop off the back? What signs of this are there?
Almost ALL performance boat policies have it in the guidelines.
I feel sorry for the driver of the pontoon, that is just terrible. A tragedy all the way around.
How does anyone know he lost a drive? Did it drop off the back? What signs of this are there?
08-20-2017, 10:16 PM
#14
Forum Regulator
VIP Member
Sometimes when a drive lets go, it locks up the prop. Such could very easily cause a fast hook on a twin engine cat traveling at a higher rate of speed.
And even if the drive broke and "went neutral" as in a sheered shaft or exploded upper; just like a dragster that looses traction on one rear tire; it will definitely turn toward the unpowered drive.
May the passenger RIP.
There is no excuse for the ignition intrerupt lanyard not in use, especially on an event such as this one; none. The Pontoon driver probably has no recourse either; and he is a true hero in my book.
And even if the drive broke and "went neutral" as in a sheered shaft or exploded upper; just like a dragster that looses traction on one rear tire; it will definitely turn toward the unpowered drive.
May the passenger RIP.
There is no excuse for the ignition intrerupt lanyard not in use, especially on an event such as this one; none. The Pontoon driver probably has no recourse either; and he is a true hero in my book.
Last edited by Sydwayz; 08-21-2017 at 12:17 AM.
08-20-2017, 10:54 PM
#15
Gold Member
Gold Member
Horrible accident, thoughts are with all those affected.
I hope the hero on the pontoon has his brave actions recognized.
If it's not wrong to ask the question here, in an emergency, is there a safe way to intercept and disable the 'circling' vessel? It sounds like the pontoon driver may have saved the lives of others despite the obvious risk to himself.
RR
I hope the hero on the pontoon has his brave actions recognized.
If it's not wrong to ask the question here, in an emergency, is there a safe way to intercept and disable the 'circling' vessel? It sounds like the pontoon driver may have saved the lives of others despite the obvious risk to himself.
RR
08-21-2017, 12:20 AM
#16
Forum Regulator
VIP Member
Horrible accident, thoughts are with all those affected.
I hope the hero on the pontoon has his brave actions recognized.
If it's not wrong to ask the question here, in an emergency, is there a safe way to intercept and disable the 'circling' vessel? It sounds like the pontoon driver may have saved the lives of others despite the obvious risk to himself.
RR
I hope the hero on the pontoon has his brave actions recognized.
If it's not wrong to ask the question here, in an emergency, is there a safe way to intercept and disable the 'circling' vessel? It sounds like the pontoon driver may have saved the lives of others despite the obvious risk to himself.
RR
08-21-2017, 06:28 AM
#18
Gold Member
Gold Member
Screenshot from the news video.
08-21-2017, 06:32 AM
#19
Registered
Good comment. That will always be in my mind if I ever experience this. Makes a lot of sense.....
