One person was killed over the weekend when two boats participating in a race near Los Angeles collided in the water. Police say that the driver of one of the boats lost control of his watercraft during the event, leading a boat behind him to crash into his. The driver of the front boat was pronounced at the scene of the crash but police say that they do not know the exact cause of death.
As many California readers know, watersports can be a lot of fun but it is also necessary to take serious precautions to avoid injuries. Races and other competitive events can hold additional risk for participants, so it is very important that boats be checked for mechanical issues and that appropriate safety gear is on board the boat at all times. If these precautions are not taken and someone is hurt or killed as a result, the responsible parties must be held accountable.
The person who was driving the second boat involved in this crash was taken to the hospital but police said that he was treated for minor injuries only.
The crash took place on a lake that has previously been the site of boating accidents. Since 1968 there have been 15 boating-related fatalities on Puddingstone Lake. Most recently four people were killed in a 2011 accident involving small personal watercraft and a larger speedboat.
The lake was closed immediately following this weekend’s accident but was expected to reopen at the beginning of the week.
Source: Los Angeles Daily News, “64-year-old L.A. man dies in San Ditmas boat racing crash,” Brian Day, March 9, 2014.
