GA. DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT FOR SATURDAY NOON:
“Region 1 – Boating incident – just after 4:00 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to a vessel at the Blockhouse Boat Ramp with an injured female on board. After tubing, a 13-year-old exited the tube and swam to the back of a ski boat. Her leg was struck by the prop as she reached for the vessel’s ladder. The game wardens quickly applied a tourniquet and called for assistance. She was then transported to Kennestone Hospital in Cobb County.
Region 1 – Boating incident – At 6:30 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to Allatoona Landing in reference to an overturned vessel. Four adults were travelling in a 16-foot Carolina Skiff when they encountered several large wakes that came over the bow of the vessel. The boat capsized sending all four adults into the water. Two occupants swam to shore while the other two were able to hold on to the capsized vessel and floating PFDs. Nearby boaters pulled the other two adults from the water. No injuries were reported.
Region 1 – Boating incident – Troup County – At approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to a report of a sunken vessel at Holliday Boat Ramp on West Point Lake. Upon arrival, they learned that after watching the fireworks at Pyne Road Park they noticed the vessel leaning. As they started back to the boat ramp the vessel began to sink. About 15 feet from the ramp the vessel sank, and they had to swim. The US Army Corp of Engineers was nearby and rescued all five occupants, who were all wearing PFDs. No injuries were reported.
Region 2 – Boating incident – Fannin County – At approximately 4:30 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens received a call regarding a possible boating incident on Lake Blue Ridge near the Blue Ridge Marina. Upon arrival, it was determined that an 18-year-old male was struck by lightning while operating a personal Watercraft (PWC). He was transported to Blue Ridge Medical Center in stable condition.
Region 2 – Boating incident – Hall County – at approximately 7:00 p.m. on July 4th, a 23-foot cabin cruiser being towed in Landshark Cove on Lake Lanier near Margaritaville suddenly exploded and flames quickly engulfed the vessel. Seven people, ranging in age from 5 to 45, were injured with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. The operator of the boat towing them rescued all seven people and took them to waiting paramedics at Margaritaville.
Region 2 – Boating incident – Union County – On the afternoon of July 4th, game wardens responded to a boat fire/explosion on Lake Nottely. A vessel had just gotten fuel at Cozy Cove Marina and had idled away from the marina. While still inside the No Wake Zone, the engine cut off momentarily and when they attempted to re-cranked it, the explosion ocurred. Seven occupants were transported for burns of varying degrees. The vessel burned to the waterline and sank at the shoreline.
Region 3 – Boating incident – Putnam County – At approximately 4:40 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to a PWC incident near Optimist Island in Putnam County on Lake Sinclair. Once on scene, it was determined that the PWC with an operator and one passenger were navigating a turn when they both fell off. The operator had on a life jacket while the passenger did not. The operator was picked up by a passing boater. They attempted to help the passenger by throwing him a throwable device, but he went under. The game wardens immediately began a search. Recovery efforts are ongoing today with assistance from Putnam County Fire, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Baldwin County Dive Team.
Region 3 – Boating incident – Putnam County – At approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to an overturned pontoon boat with 12 occupants on Lake Oconee in Putnam County. They immediately began rescuing the occupants from the water. It was then determined that a 4-year-old girl was missing, but she had been wearing a personal flotation device. A former lifeguard dove under the boat and located the missing girl. A game warden began administering CPR to the child in rotation with an off-duty fireman and a nurse. A few minutes later, EMS arrived and transported the girl to Putnam General Hospital, and subsequently flown to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Witnesses stated that when a large wave came over the front of the boat, the passengers began to panic and ran to the back of the boat, causing it to capsize.
Region 4 – Drowning – At approximately 10:00 a.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to a drowning in a private pond in Wheeler County. Two male individuals were fishing in the pond when one fell over the side and did not resurface. Prior to the game wardens’ arrival, the victim was recovered by the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office. The body was turned over to the Wheeler County Coroner.
Region 5 – Boating Incident – At approximately 2:20 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to a capsized vessel in the Chattahoochee River in southwest Georgia. Upon arrival, they determined that the 58-year-old male operator was thrown from the vessel when he struck a large wake. A passing boater picked up the man and his vessel. No injuries were reported.
Region 5 – Boating incident – Harris County – At approximately 3:00 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to a boating incident on Lake Harding. Two juveniles operating PWCs collided causing damage to one PWC. No injuries occurred.
Region 6 – Boating incident – At 11:30 this morning, game wardens responded to a boating incident in McIntosh County in Rattlesnake Creek. Prior to their arrival, the two boat operators were able to pull the disabled boat to the Bellville Boat Ramp. After further investigation, it was determined that the vessels were running the narrow and shallow creek when they collided after rounding a curve. Both operators attempted to avoid collision, but due to the width of the creek and low water, they could not. Both boats were damaged, and no injuries were reported.
Region 6 – Boating incident – Wayne County – At approximately 2:15 p.m. on July 4th, game wardens responded to a boat explosion and fire on the Altamaha River between Paradise Park and Williamsburg Landing. After investigating, the operator stated that they had been traveling down river in their 19-foot boat when they slowed and placed the boat in neutral. As they were drifting, without any warning, the boat just exploded. Another boater witnessed the explosion and pulled over to help. All occupants boarded the other boat just before it became engulfed in flames. The boat burned quickly as it drifted toward the bank before sinking. The operator received minor burns and the other two occupants were uninjured.”