On Saturday, May 9, 2009, a two boat accident on Hartwell Lake in South Carolina sent seven people to the hospital. Now, the Department of Natural Resources is investigating the crash and ascertaining whether charges will be made against anyone involved in the serious water craft accident. However, a final verdict on whether or not wrongdoing was involved in the wreck could take up to a month or more.
According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, one of the boats involved in the watercraft accident was owned and operated by a deputy there. The boat had three other passengers, including another Pickens County deputy, a 21-year-old member of the Explorers, and another person.
The boat accident took place at the mouth of the Six and Twenty River on Hartwell Lake – near where Charlie T’s Restaurant is located. Boat boats were near the dock located there, and some witnesses report that one boat was docking while the other was leaving the dock.
Of the eight people on the two boats, only the 21-year-old escaped without injury. Some reports put forth that one woman involved was hit with a boat propeller during the boat crash. All of the victims were transported to AnMed Health Medical Center. The two deputies were well enough to return to work the following Tuesday.
“So far, no one’s been able to show us that anyone has done anything wrong,” he said. “It’s just like a car accident. The appropriate agency takes over the investigation and it is dealt with once the investigation is complete.”
Authorities told reporters that this was the first serious boat accident on Hartwell Lake this season.