Less than a week ago a tragic boat crash claimed the life of a 9-year-old child. The incident occurred on Lake George on Monday, July 25th. According to officials the victim was sitting with her mother on their boat when another vessel crashed into and over theirs. Both mother and daughter were injured in the crash. Sadly the little girl not did survive.
The crash, which occurred on Lake George’s annual “Log Bay Day,” is still being investigated. The driver who caused the crash survived and fled the scene, but later turned himself in. Many speculate that alcohol may have played a part in the incident. There were approximately 250 vessels and 600 people on the lake that day. According to authorities 19 people were arrested and another twenty people were ticketed.
Boating while intoxicated is a crime and can have deadly consequences. On the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division you can read more about boating while intoxicated and the effects of alcohol:
“When a boater or passenger drinks, the following occur:
- Cognitive abilities and judgment deteriorate, making it harder to process information, assess situations, and make good choices.
- Physical performance is impaired – evidenced by balance problems, lack of coordination, and increased reaction time.
- Vision is affected, including decreased peripheral vision, reduced depth perception, decreased night vision, poor focus, and difficulty in distinguishing colors (particularly red and green).
- Inner ear disturbances can make it impossible for a person who falls into the water to distinguish up from down.
- Alcohol creates a physical sensation of warmth – which may prevent a person in cold water from getting out before hypothermia sets in.” – U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division