Cladon Johnson of Chesapeake, Virginia (VA), was enjoying a fishing trip with his friend when his life came to a sudden, tragic end.
The boat, which was owned by Johnson’s friend, collided with a 42-foot crabbing vessel at the Naval Station Norfolk. The boat owner reportedly stated that when the two men were fishing, they looked up and saw the massive crabbing vessel “bearing down on them,” according to the Daily Press.
After the boat crash, the occupants on the crabbing vessel and a man from a passing boat jumped into the water to help Johnson, but, sadly, it was too late.
Charges have not been filed at this point, but the exact cause of this Norfolk boat accident remains unclear and the boat crash remains under investigation.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Johnson’s friends and family. This tragic accident highlights how, in the blink of an eye, a person’s life can come to a sudden, unexpected end in what appears to have been a preventable accident.
Boating accidents are especially dangerous, because in addition to the injuries that are often found in car or truck accidents, people are not regularly restrained or harnessed while on boats, there is an extra element of drowning that is present in accidents on waterways, there is generally a much slower emergency response time, and in Virginia, people do not have to have boat licenses or pass tests in order to operate a vessel.
All of these things and more can lead to increased dangers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, it is important for you to consult an experienced personal injury law firm and ideally speak with an attorney that has experience with boating and boating accident cases.
PA