Drama on Lake Winnipesaukee
Boat collision sinks first responders
A New Hampshire State Police boat capsized and officers were thrown overboard before being pinned under the boat after a collision on Lake Winnipesaukee Wednesday night, according to police.
Two victims from a serious boating crash ended up being rescued by Marine Patrol officers, and they were transported to Concord Hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries. Both of the officers from the capsized boat were also evaluated at the hospital as a precaution, and neither was injured.
On Wednesday at around 10:25 p.m., police received a report of a person in the water on Lake Winnipesaukee, yelling for help while a runaway boat was circling in the area. The call came from the area of Round Island in Gilford.
Two Marine Patrol officers responded to the area, and found the boating crash with two victims in the water. The officers were able to rescue the victims from the water, helping them onto the patrol boat. The victims were then transferred onto a Gilford Fire Department boat.
At the same time, the officers found the uncontrolled runaway boat, still running and wandering erratically on the lake. The two officers tried to stop the boat by throwing a line into the water in its path.
After the first attempt was unsuccessful, the officers tried again. That’s when the runaway boat made an unexpected turn toward the patrol boat — striking the patrol boat at its stern and causing it to capsize.
Both officers were thrown overboard and were momentarily pinned under the boat, which was being dragged by the other vessel. Both officers were then able to escape, and made it to the surface.
“New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol is aware that good Samaritans, not yet identified, courageously involved themselves in the dangerous situation, both assisting Marine Patrol Officers in getting out of the water and by boarding the private vessel, that was now slowed by dragging the Marine Patrol vessel and stopping it,” police said in a statement.
Crews on Thursday were working to upright the capsized New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol boat.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to call Lt. Dennis Wade at 603-846-3333.