'Time stopped for me': Witness describes aftermath of fatal boat crash | CBC News (2024)

CBC News

· Posted: May 21, 2024 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 22

A resident of a home on a lake north of Kingston, Ont., wherethree people died ina boat crashis shaken after he and his brother were among the first to respond to the collision.

Ontario Provincial Police say the crash happened in the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake after 9:30 p.m. Saturday, involving "an open bow fishing-style boat" and a speedboat.

Three people were pronounced dead at the scene, including a 21-year-old woman and 23-year-old man from South Frontenac Township, and a 22-year-old woman from Elginburg, Ont. OPP say five other peoplebetween the ages of 21 and 44 were taken to hospital in Kingston with various injuries.

• 3 dead, 5 injured in evening boat crash north of Kingston

'I wish we could have done more'

Tony Hammond, who liveson Bobs Lake, heard the crash Saturdayfrom his cottage deck.

He had seen a group of young people on a fishing boat across the bay earlierthat evening.He said they were playing music and having a good time.

Then he heard the distinctive roar of a speed boat's engine and the sound of the crash.

"We heard the crunch," Hammond told CBCon Monday."Time stopped for me."

He rushed to phone911, thentook a boat out ontothe water to survey the situation along with his brother.

Hammond said they found debris and a woman's bodyin the lake.They attempted to perform CPR to resuscitate her, though they were unsuccessful.

"We got her out as fast as humanly possible," he recalled. "There were no signs of life."

Hammond said he continued searching the waters for another 30 to 45 minutes, until search and rescue arrived, but he only had a flashlight.

"I wish we could have done more," he said.

'Boat responsibly,' boating safety expert urges

Frontenac OPP are investigating the incident, assisted by acollision reconstructionist and members of the technical collision investigation team. Police say the collision reconstructionist will work to examine both boats.

On Tuesday, OPP officers could be seen scouringthe site of the crash.

Police divers searched the water for evidence that may have sunk following the collision.

"There might be a lotof debris, marks, evidence, things like that, that need to be collected for the investigation to conclude ...what the cause of this collision is, whether it's speed-related, life-jacket usage or [non-]usage, anddifferent factors," said Const. Rob MartellTuesday.

"An incident like this does hit pretty hard on the local community."

On Tuesday evening, OPP said on social media they've completed their on-site investigation and regular marine traffic can continue on Bobs Lake.

Boating at night can be a challenge, asafety expert said.

"When you're boating out there at night, you really have to be cognisant of other people that could be out there,"said IanGilson, director of the CanadianSafe Boating Council.

Visibility is reduced at night—aneffect that can beamplified due to glare caused by boat lights, other surrounding lights and the increased risk of fog in the spring and summer months that often results from varying air and water temperatures, Gilson explained.

He said boaters should always wear a life-jacket and boat sober.

At night, additional safety considerations are required. Boaters should ensure that their boat lights are on and that they're advancing at a cautious speed. It's also important, he said, that boaters remain alert in case sounds or sights of approaching boaters emerge.

Gilson emphasized the CanadianSafe Boating Council wants people to enjoy boating. But in order for it to be a pleasurable experience, he said,it's important boaters "respect" the water and be mindful of their surroundings.

"Just don't do risky things ... and just boat responsibly."

WATCH | Neighbour tried to help after fatal boat crash:

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