Three people died and at least three others were injured in a navigation navigation collision during a major league Fishing Alabama competition.
The Deux-Vaissel accident occurred just after 7 a.m. Wednesday on the second day of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational MLF on Lake Lewis Smith near the city of Cullman.
Joey Broom, 58, from Altoona, John Clark, 44, from Cullman, and Jeffrey Little, 62, from Brandon, Mississippi, were identified as the victims of Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Broom, a member of the neighboring Snead, was allegedly aboard the central console ship and was fatally injured when the boat was struck by the Basse Nitro boat near the Miller Flats of the lake, said Alea. Broom was declared dead on the scene.
Clark and Little, which were also on board the center control ship, were thrown over board during the collision and drowned, the agency said.
One of the two boats that would have been involved in Wednesday's collision on Lewis Smith Lake (Wiat)
“The two individuals have drowned and were pronounced deceased. However, their bodies were recovered near the Miller Flats region of Lake Smith in County Cullman,” said Alea.
At least three other people were injured in the incident, as WBMA reported.
Neither the ALEA nor the MLF have no longer provided details on the accident or the conditions of the injured. The agency said its maritime patrol division is investigating the collision.
No information on the driver or passengers aboard the Basse Nitro boat was published.
However, MLF said that the fisherman at the Comparter Flint Davis line was also involved in the accident. Davis was in 15th place on Monday before the incident.
Flint Davis was a fisherman in the competition who was involved in the fatal accident but was not injured, according to reports (Instagram / @ flintdavishing)
Photographs obtained by WBMA from one of the two ships that would be involved in the cash show of a “Flint Davis” sticker on the side of the boat.
Davis published a short statement on his Instagram history on Wednesday evening: “I would like to thank everyone for thoughts and prayers.
“I ask you to keep me and all the other people and families affected in your prayers. I will let you know more when I can. ”
Allen Johnson, member of Alabama Bass, said he had witnessed the moment boats “I went in the air.”
“None of them saw the other,” he told CBS Affilié section 12. “The boat he struck was a bit at an angle … The drivers crossed the front of the boat, through the central console, but he went in the air.”
Joey Broom, member of the City of Snead, died in Wednesday's collision (Facebook)
MLF canceled the last day of the competition, which was to take place on Thursday. Fisherman David Kilgore won the first prize of $ 80,000.
“It's a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization,” said Kathy Fennel, executive vice-president of the MLF, in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. “Our deepest condolences go to families and friends of people affected by this tragedy.”
Joseph Webster, who finished fifth in the tournament, wrote on Instagram: “The words are difficult to find after today's events. Our prayers are with all those who are affected by the tragic accident on Smith.”
The Senator of the State of Alabama, Garlan Gudger Jr, sent thoughts and property to the victims and their families.
“We wanted to inform families, the people who were in the fishing wreck of the major leagues on Smith Lake, that our prayers are with you and your families,” said Gudger in a video published on Facebook.
