Ski Posted May 28, 2022 Posted May 28, 2022 This past week, 17-year-old Eric Beasley of Canton, Ga. passed away in a boat accident on Lake Hartwell. The accident happened in the afternoon when the angler’s bass boat and a cabin cruiser collided. According to official reports from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), officers quickly arrived on scene near Carters Ferry Boat Ramp to find Beasley, the lone occupant of the bass boat, deceased. The cabin cruiser was occupied by six individuals and two of them were injured. Their names have not been released and their injuries did not appear to be life threatening. Authorities are not sure of the circumstances surrounding this collision and it’s currently an active investigation. It may take up to eight weeks for their findings to be released. According to multiple accounts within the fishing industry, Beasley was a promising young talent and quite the angler who was gaining a lot of attention in the bass fishing world. We’ve heard multiple stories of his enthusiasm, his work ethic and desire to learn everything he could about bass fishing. 5 Quote
GRiver Posted May 28, 2022 Posted May 28, 2022 My sympathy to them. Everyone stay safe out there this weekend, every other day too. 1 Quote
fin Posted May 28, 2022 Posted May 28, 2022 It’s really sad when someone that young dies, especially due to someone else’s carelessness. It’s not likely justice will ever be served because it is labeled as “an accident”. I’m making some assumptions. I don’t know anymore than is in the article, but I would really be surprised if the bass boat ran into the cabin cruiser. Quote
Super User GaryH Posted May 28, 2022 Super User Posted May 28, 2022 The need to keep your head on a swivel has never been more important than now. Thoughts and prayers for the family. To all our BR family be careful on this holiday weekend. 1 Quote
Super User Bird Posted May 28, 2022 Super User Posted May 28, 2022 Wow, almost seems weekly. Once again, prayers for this young man's family and friends. Quote
SWVABass Posted May 28, 2022 Posted May 28, 2022 Feel for this kids family, it’s sad that this happened. Thoughts any prayers to those affected. 1 Quote
Trox Posted May 28, 2022 Posted May 28, 2022 I hate to hear it... Very sad. This time of year, there are a ton of people out on the water that are first time boat owners, and half of those don't know how to enjoy themselves without a cooler full of beer and alcohol... I know that the root cause of this particular accident has yet to be identified, but, through experience, I have come to associate those seasonal cabin cruisers with inexperience, inebriation, or [likely] both... Be EXTRA careful out there this time of years fellas! A lot of the boats that you will see on the water had an inch of dust on em just last week... Look out for yourself, cause no one else will! 5 Quote
Super User soflabasser Posted May 28, 2022 Super User Posted May 28, 2022 8 hours ago, GaryH said: The need to keep your head on a swivel has never been more important than now. Thoughts and prayers for the family. To all our BR family be careful on this holiday weekend. Well said @GaryH. People have become much more aggressive with less empathy in the last 2.5 years. I see people speeding more than ever both on the roads and on the water, it is no surprise incidents like these are happening more frequent with so many people that only seem to care about themselves. The OP posted another similar incident less than a couple days ago, it seems this is the new normal, maybe one day people will regain their humanity again, until then expect more events like these and others that are occurring during this time. 1 Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted May 29, 2022 Super User Posted May 29, 2022 Very sad. The worst part is that it was probably preventable. Quote
BayouSlide Posted May 29, 2022 Posted May 29, 2022 Sadly, this and other similar incidents is a reminder that we need to drive defensively on the water, not just the highways. Perhaps it is even more important on the water where danger can come unexpectedly from any direction. Quote
Zcoker Posted May 29, 2022 Posted May 29, 2022 Dunno about this, seems like it's not a matter of if, but a matter of when. These bass boats can tote 300hp and do upwards of 75mph. With no lanes, it's like the blind leading the blind out there, bound to happen. I've seen it myself so many times out on Headwaters Lake here in central Florida, like a drag race only not in a strait line. It's unfortunate and sad, what happened to this young man. My condolences to his family and friends. Quote
Woody B Posted May 29, 2022 Posted May 29, 2022 The family will be in mine and Mrs B's prayers. I was on Lake Norman (NC) yesterday and Lake Wylie(NC/SC) today. Both lakes were basically mad houses by noon. Quote
fin Posted May 29, 2022 Posted May 29, 2022 Quote (SAVANNAH, Ga.) -- Five people are dead after two boats collided on a river in Georgia over Memorial Day weekend, officials said. The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. Saturday at a convergence in the Wilmington River, about seven miles east of downtown Savannah in Chatham County. Nine people were aboard two boats -- six in one, three in the other, officials said. The boats were traveling in opposite directions when witnesses said they collided, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Initially, two people were confirmed dead and three were following the crash, the department said. Their identities are being withheld pending family notification. Three men were missing in the wake of the incident -- a 37-year-old man and two men in their early 20s -- but were found Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Mark McKinnon, communications director for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, told ABC News that all three bodies were found Sunday morning after game wardens detected them with sonar technology around 9 a.m. ET The bodies were found close to one another in 14-foot-deep water near the site of the crash, said McKinnon. First responders, including Georgia Department of Natural Resources game wardens, Chatham County Marine Patrol, Savannah Fire and Chatham Emergency Services and two U.S. Coast Guard helicopters, helped look for the missing boaters. Four passengers sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital, officials said. One patient was flown to the hospital by the Coast Guard after being rescued from the water, Koster said. The cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said. Two center console boats were involved in the incident, one of which sunk following the crash, Koster said. Having the right-of-way doesn't matter when you're dead. Drive like the other guy is trying to kill you. 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted May 29, 2022 Super User Posted May 29, 2022 On 5/28/2022 at 6:17 AM, GaryH said: The need to keep your head on a swivel has never been more important than now. Thoughts and prayers for the family. To all our BR family be careful on this holiday weekend. 24/7/365 Quote
Super User Koz Posted May 30, 2022 Super User Posted May 30, 2022 I hate hearing about stuff like this. Holiday weekends on the like remind of New Year's Eve on the road - it's Amateur Hour. As much as I wanted to get out on my kayak and fish this weekend, I stayed off the water. There were too many boats and rental boats out there for my liking. Quote
Super User geo g Posted May 30, 2022 Super User Posted May 30, 2022 90% of the time speed is a major factor. Slow down, be alert, drive defensively, and wear your PFD when driving. These thing will and do reduce accidents. Quote
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