Explo
The remains of the burnt-out boat in shallow water off the Exumas.
EXUMA, The Bahamas--An American woman has been reported dead and nine other Americans injured in an explosion aboard a small pleasure craft charter boat on Saturday morning in the Exumas, in the Bahamas.
The charter boat operated by 4C’s Adventures, was circling the waters between Georgetown and Barraterre, Exuma, when the boat’s engine caught fire and exploded with the 10 passengers on board plus two Bahamian crew members.
The boat has been totally destroyed and drifted towards the shore after the fire had petered out.
Luckily for the other passengers on board another boat was sailing alongside them and was able to render assistance to those who were trapped on board in the shallow waters.
The victims were then evacuated immediately to the Georgetown clinic in Exuma for examination and further assistance and then on to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in Nassau.
The US Coast Guard sent emergency teams to help with the medical evacuations, along with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, which is leading the investigations.
Reports from the area representative stated that four of the injured had been evacuated to Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg, Florida, for treatment, by the US Coast Guard and five were awaiting further evacuation to Florida. The two Bahamians are said to have been admitted at the PMH in Nassau.
The US Coast Guard as of Saturday afternoon had sent an HC-130 Hercules aircraft and crew with two medical personnel from the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, to Exuma, and transported the boaters to the air station where emergency medical services awaited.
The cause of the incident is under investigation by the Exuma branch of the local police.
Member of Parliament for the Exuma islands, Chester Cooper said in a press statement shortly after learning about the tragic accident that this is a “sad day for Exuma and a sad day for our American friends. Your prayers, as always, are needed and appreciated.”
No word on what caused the explosion has been released by authorities as yet. ~ Caribbean News Now! ~
