Boater airlifted to hospital after high-speed crash

A boater was airlifted to hospital for injuries suffered during a high-speed crash on the Parker Strip.

On Monday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Marine Enforcement Unit responded to a boating accident that occurred near Echo Lodge Resort. At approximately 1:50 pm, a Cole flat bottom was being operated southbound on the river at a high rate of speed. For reasons still under investigation, the vessel came out of the water and when the bow of the boat recontacted the water the operator was ejected.

The operator was found face down and unresponsive in the water and was picked up by another vessel and taken to the shore. The operator was flown to the Abrazo West Campus Trauma Center in Arizona where he is currently being treated for injuries suffered during the crash.

The vessel sunk as a result of the crash.

“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department can not stress enough the importance of wearing a life jacket while boating,” the Department said in a statement. “The operator was wearing a life jacket during the crash which kept him afloat while he was unconscious. For laws regarding the use of life jackets or any other questions regarding boating in California, please visit the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways website at dbw.ca.gov.”