Accidents of the Week - September 19, 2026
BoatTEST publishes “Accidents of the Week” as a public service for our VIP Subscribers to acquaint them with potential boating dangers and by inference their prevention.
Boat Burns on Illinois Lake Over Labor Day Weekend
9/6/26 – Findlay, IL
No one was hurt in a boat fire on Lake Shelbyville, Illinois, on the afternoon of September 6. The fire was reported at around 5:47 p.m.
Ed Voltenburg, Chief of the Findlay Fire and Ambulance District, said in a Facebook post that his firefighters responded alongside the Shelby County Dive and Rescue teams and Abbot Ambulance.
After staging at the Eagle Creek Boat Ramp and Findlay Marina, firefighters loaded extinguishers and two paramedics on two boats provided by the Shelby County Dive Team.
“Upon arrival, we discovered a speedboat fully involved. We were later told we could get some trash pumps from the dive team and Findlay Marina. Findlay Marina brought a third boat,” Voltenburg said.
“There were no injuries to any civilians or emergency personnel. We were back in quarters at around 9 p.m.”
Professor Killed by Boat While Lake Swimming
9/4/26 – Benton Co., AR
Missouri Southern State University mourned the loss of Dr. Alla Barry, a professor of biology at the university, following a deadly boating accident on September 4.
According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), the incident occurred north of War Eagle Marina in the White River arm of the state’s Beaver Lake.
Officials said a 74-year-old woman was swimming when a boat hit her. She died from her injuries. AGFC confirmed Barry was the victim.
Occupants Hurt in River Boating Accident
9/5/26 – Maries Co., MO
Crews were dispatched to a reported boat crash on September 5 in Maries County, Missouri.
The Maries County Sheriff's Office and other agencies responded to a boating accident on the Gasconade River, near the Highway 42 bridge.
Upon arrival, crews located a red boat on the shoreline around 12:49 p.m. All of the occupants had exited the vessel prior to first responders' arrival and, luckily, sustained only minor injuries.
Body Found After Kayak Seen Floating Unattended
9/7/26 – Columbus Co., NC
Authorities located the body of a kayaker one day after he was reported missing in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina.
Erick Ross, 25, was kayaking on Lake Waccamaw over the Labor Day weekend. On September 7 he decided to go on a second trip around the lake. He “was tired” and stopped at a lakeside campground store, Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers said.
He was last seen that day around 4 p.m., according to local news reports. At around 4:45 p.m., his kayak was found floating 300 yards off a boat ramp. Ross’ personal belongings, including his cellphone, were found inside the kayak, according to a news release from the Town of Lake Waccamaw.
Body Found Using Sonar Equipment
Local authorities then began a search-and-rescue operation with at least 25 different agencies. The search paused at 1 a.m. on September 8, and resumed at 7 a.m.
Ross’ body was recovered in the lake around 11:30 a.m. The recovery of his body was credited to the Wildlife Resources officers’ specialized sonar equipment, Sheriff Rogers said.
Firefighters Respond to Boat Fire on Cedar River
9/5/26 – Cedar Rapids, IA
Police and fire crews in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, responded to a report of a boat on fire on the Cedar River on the night of September 5.
Crews got the call around 7:45 p.m. Police said no one was hurt.
Video from an eyewitness showed firefighters putting out the fire on a small boat. Officials did not detail what may have caused the fire.
Boater Rescued After Running Aground on Lake Shoal
9/2/26 – Bedford Co., VA
A boat was trapped on a shoal at Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake and its operator had to be rescued, Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue announced on September 3.
Crews said they, along with Scruggs Fire Rescue, were dispatched by Franklin County Fire & EMS for a watercraft emergency about 8:45 p.m. in the vicinity of Middle Island.
Caution Advised Due to Low Water Level
Two fireboats located the boat along with its operator; nobody was injured, according to personnel.
“The passenger was safely taken onboard 11-9 for transport; we ask that boaters use caution when boating at night due to the low water level,” Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue said.
Good Samaritan Saves Four After Boat Capsizes
9/7/26 – Matagorda, TX
Four adults were rescued on the morning of September 7 after their vessel capsized near the mouth of Texas’ Colorado River, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to a post on their official Facebook page, Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi received a mayday call over VHF Channel 16 at about 8:30 a.m. The vessel was approximately 2 nautical miles offshore.
The Coast Guard launched a helicopter from Air Station Corpus Christi and a response boat from Station Port O'Connor. Both arrived within an hour, officials said.
USCG Credits Cooperation, VHF Radio, PFDs for Rescue
All four people aboard the capsized vessel were wearing life jackets. A nearby Good Samaritan responded to an urgent marine broadcast and pulled them from the water. Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens responded quickly as well and took photos of the recovery, later bringing the four people to shore, according to the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard officials credited the successful response to the boaters carrying a VHF radio, wearing Coast Guard-approved life jackets and cooperation between responding agencies.
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