Boating and Alcohol a Deadly Combination over Holiday Weekend
Three boating deaths were reported in Missouri over the holiday weekend, and two were due to alcohol consumption.
According to KMOX.com, a man was boating with some of his friends on the Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend. The friends decided to climb on the Hurricane Bridge and jump into the water, a 60 foot fall. The man who jumped first did not survive, and his body was recovered by divers.
Another tragic Missouri boating accident occurred when an elderly woman, who was riding on a pontoon boat on the Osage River, was killed when her boat was struck by a man who had been consuming alcohol. The individual was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Across the state, 39 people were arrested for boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol over the Independence Day holiday.
Sadly, in recent years, alcohol has been identified as a factor in 31% of the U.S. boating accidents in which a fatality occurred. Boat operators with a blood alcohol level of over .10 are ten times more likely to be killed in a boating accident than a sober boater.
Have you or a loved one been injured while boating in Missouri as a result of another boater’s intoxication? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact an experienced Missouri boat accident attorney today. The attorneys at Page Law can help you recover for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. For a free consultation with an experienced attorney, call us today at 314-322-8515.
