Update: Boat explodes in Havasu's Bridgewater Channel
Boat was full of spectators watching IJSBA World Finals
A boat explosion in the Bridgewater Channel injured up to 12 people Saturday night.
The incident occurred during a personal watercraft performance on the channel. According to Corporal Jared Kyer of the Lake Havasu Police Department, a family was preparing to leave a crowded area of the channel on their boat, when it exploded upon starting. Witnesses said a number of people immediately reacted to aid the nine people on board.
Lake Havasu City Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Quijada said the department still has to investigate the cause of the explosion.
“We have to investigate (why the boat exploded) but most likely, it’s from starting the boat with an accumulation of fuel,” he said. “Boats do that, they’ll accumulate fuel at the bottom, that’s why we make you turn on your blower before you start the boat and get those fumes out of there. If there’s an explosive mixture and they start it, it could cause an explosion. That sounds like what happened, because the whole engine cover came out.”
Quijada confirmed five people were taken to Havasu Regional Medical Center with burn-related injuries -- three with “immediate” injuries. Three people on the scene suffered minor injuries, but declined medical attention. At least two minors were hospitalized, but Quijada was unable to disclose any specifics. Cpl. Kyer said nine people in total were hospitalized, and confirmed “at least a few” were being air-lifted out.
In a heroic effort, Jason Montgomery, who was on a neighboring boat, sprang to action to save a couple of children on board the exploded boat.
“The boat exploded, blew my hand into a hook, and impaled my hand,” Montgomery said. “I grabbed a baby that was on fire, put (the fire) out and put the baby in the water. Then I realized there was another baby that was on fire, I grabbed her and pulled her off the boat and put her in the water. I had two babies on my arm, and put them on the beach.”
“He grabbed the two kids -- one of them’s face was literally on fire - and he dunked them in the water, and put them to safety (on the shore),” said Don Rubio, who was with Montgomery. “He did all he could to save those children.”
Montgomery shrugged off any suggestion that people would see him as a hero for his actions.
“They’re going to say (I) did what anyone else would do,” he said. “All day long, every day. That’s how we roll.”
Cpl. Kyer was unable to corroborate Montgomery’s story, but didn’t rule out its possibility.
Greg Burkle, who was also in a neighboring boat, said people in the area sought to put out the flames as quickly as possible.
“Everybody just kind of scattered, then we went back to put the flames out before it hit the gas tank.,” Burkle said. “Everyone was trying to make sure the kids were OK, and get the fire out before there was a worse explosion...Also the safety crew from the jet ski show came in on a Sea-Doo came and jet-propelled water onto the boat.”
It was the third boat explosion on Lake Havasu in as many weeks. Last week, a man was injured after the boat he was living on caught fire in an explosion.
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