Deadly Boat Accident Under Investigation
KDKA
12 April 2010
State and federal officials are still investigating a boating accident
on the Allegheny River that killed two men and injured another.
Boaters say the tragedy is a reminder of why it's so important to
follow the rules of safety on the river.
Authorities identified one of the victims who drowned as 26-year-old
Brian Abercrombie, of California, Pa. His friends and neighbors have
been left in shock by his death.
"Brian was the best friend anybody could ask for," said Geary Shipley,
one of Abercrombie's friends. "He's irreplaceable, and I can't
understand why this happened."
Abercrombie was one of three men fishing from a 16-foot boat. Officials
say Gary Watson, 59, also drowned, but his 30-year-old son, Cale, was
able to swim to safety.
Witnesses told authorities the boat was too close to what is called the
"boil" - created by strong currents coming over the dam at Lock No. 3
in Harmar Township.
"There's significant hydraulic, as you see by the turbulence of the
boil that forces you to the bottom of the dam," said Col. Mike Crall,
of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Witnesses said that no one on the boat was wearing a life preserver.
"Sometimes, the current will instead of taking you away from the dam,
will bring you towards it; and if your motor does start - you don't
have your motor running - that can actually take you right up into the
dam itself," said boater Steve Killian.
First, officials say lock operators noticed the boat was outside the
safe zone. Then, the next time, they observed emergency crews were
called to the scene.
Authorities added that no buoys marked the danger zone because they are
not put in place until the end of April.
Also, during boating season, officers with the Fish and Boat Commission
patrol the river and will cite boaters if they come within 500 to 600
feet within the dam.
The boat has since been removed from the river, and the accident
remains under investigation by the Army Corps of Engineers and the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.