Boat explosion on Lake Powell critically injures Utah man

Sixty Three Year Old Utah Man Injured During

Boat Explosion and Subsequent Fire

 

Page, AZ: Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating an explosion and subsequent fire on a 1974 Tolly Craft 30’ Cabin Motor Cruiser that critically injured the sole occupant and totally destroyed the watercraft.

 

On Thursday, July 26, 2012 at about 10:25 am the National Park Service (NPS) was notified of this event.  NPS, Page Fire Department and Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to incident which occurred at the fueling station at Antelope Point on Lake Powell .  According to witnesses, the victim who was operating the above described watercraft was stopped at the outer most fueling slot number 8 and was in the process of fueling his boat.  A witness said the operator finished fueling and attempted to start the engine several times at which point an explosion and subsequent fire occurred.  Witnesses said the victim crawled out of the boat and onto the dock where he was attended to by individuals who were in the area and by public safety responders.  A bystander received a minor injury when he was struck in the left hand by flying debris. 

 

The victim was flown to the University of Utah Burn Unit in Salt Lake City by Classic Life Guard Medical Transport.  Coconino County Sheriff Deputies are investigating the incident.