3 Cheat Lake boating victims in serious condition

CHEAT LAKE, W.Va. — The victims of a Memorial Day boating accident near Sunset Beach Marina continued to be treated for their injuries at local hospitals Tuesday afternoon, with three listed in serious condition.

Their 23-foot Malibu ski boat ran ashore and crashed Monday night near Warm Hollow at about 9 p.m.

Three passengers were flown to the hospital, while nine others were taken by ambulance.

Ruby Memorial Hospital confirmed Tuesday doctors with WVU Healthcare are treating seven of the victims.

Their names have not been released, but a hospital spokesperson confirmed three were in serious condition—a 20-year-old man and two women, ages 19 and 18.

Four men ages 20 to 21 were listed in fair condition.

Emergency officials confirmed Monday night several patients were taken to Mon General, but the hospital does not release patient information to anyone including the news media.

“Emergency personnel up there did a fantastic job,” said Capt. Bill Persinger of the state Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement. “They were there before my guys got there and got everybody off and life-flighted the ones that needed out of there.”

The boat hit the shore and an area of trees and roots on the edge of the water, Persinger said.

“There was extensive damage to the boat.”

Persinger says it was difficult for emergency crews to reach the victims and the crash scene. Private citizens with boats on the lake actually helped crews reach the injured boaters.

“We were going to try to tow the boat in last night and secure it but with the damage to the boat I don’t think we could have done that without sinking it,” said Persinger.

Persinger said it could take quite some time for reconstructionists to determine what caused the accident.  That work started Tuesday afternoon.





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