Two Dead in Boat Crash on the Piscataqua River

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Two women were killed over the weekend in New Hampshire when their board struck a buoy in the Piscataqua River. According to the Bangor Daily News, three people were riding in a 24-foot Boston Whaler when the collision happened near the boat landing in Eliot on Saturday night.

The initial investigation found that a 59-year-old man was operating the boat, which had three passengers aboard, at a high speed when it struck a buoy, according to New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol. Upon impact, a female passenger, who was wearing a life jacket, was thrown from the boat.

The operator called 911 for help and located the passenger who was unconscious in the water, according to police. He then maneuvered the vessel to the boat landing, which was within sight of where the crash occurred.

The boat’s operator was transported to York Hospital in York, Maine, for treatment of a possible back injury and other bruising. The three passengers — two women and a man — were transported to Portsmouth Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The two women were pronounced dead, according to police.
The third passenger was ultimately transported to a hospital in Boston for further treatment.

Authorities have not identified the passengers pending notification of next of kin.

You can read the full story at the Bangor Daily News.

Anyone who has further information related to the crash or who witnessed the incident is asked to contact New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol Sgt. Joshua Dirth at 603-227-2115 or by email at Joshua.Dirth@dos.nh.gov.