Tuesday, August 17, 1999
Two people missing as boats collide
BY WILLIAM A. WEATHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Divers from the Cincinnati Fire Division help haul in one of the boats involved in Monday night's collision on the Ohio River.
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
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DAYTON, Ky. — At least two people were missing early today after two boats collided in the Ohio River.
An armada of pleasure boaters helped rescue workers pull three others from the water after a 22-footer apparently cut an 18-footer in half just upstream of the Watertown Marina about 11:20 p.m., Dayton Fire Chief Denny Lynn said.
A woman was being treated at St. Luke Hospital East. Two others were taken to other hospitals. Their names and conditions weren't immediately known.
After the crash, the 22-footer was going in circles, apparently locked at full throttle, witnesses said. About 3 feet of the smaller craft's bow was visible protruding from the water.
“We just heard people screaming,” said Gary Carter, 29, of Forest Park, who came upon the scene as he was returning from the Black Sabbath concert at Riverbend with two friends aboard a 19-foot craft.
As many as 100 boats — many returning from the concert — were on the river in the area of the crash, authorities said.
Rob Geers, 21, of Walton, was returning from the concert on 20-foot boat with a couple of friends when he came upon the wreckage.
“We shined a spotlight on them,” he said. “We were searching through the wreckage and we found two women.”
They pulled them from the water.
Lindsey Williams, 29, of Mount Healthy, a passenger in Mr. Carter's boat, said they picked up a man swimming from the riverbank to help with the rescue. When their boat arrived at the scene, the man jumped into the water in an attempt to find victims, Mr. Williams said.
The Coast Guard shut down the river for two miles in either direction of the crash while boaters and rescue workers searched. A helicopter from the Hamilton County sheriff's department helped search the river and banks, equipped with an infrared equipment to help with night vision.
Crews from Cincinnati, Anderson Township, Covington, Silver Grove and Campbell County Water Rescue also assisted.
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